tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20928481979725652722024-03-15T20:09:11.956-05:00Adventures of a Vagabond VolunteerMarilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.comBlogger731125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-30079129193592636632022-01-16T19:25:00.003-06:002022-11-30T15:52:35.693-06:00Visiting a Favorite Refuge with New Friends<p> Our Volunteer Village has more than doubled in size with the arrival of two new volunteer couples. My free time schedule overlaps each of theirs by one day. Dee, Steve and I started talking about good birding places and I invited them to join me to visit Anahuac, the refuge where I volunteered while still working and the first refuge I volunteered at when I started my residential volunteer life. </p><p>I further offered to give them the service I used to give people when I volunteered as a free birding guide for Birding Pals. I would bring lunch and guide them. Then we could enjoy a sunset supper at a restaurant on Bolivar Pennisula, along the intercoastal canal before catching the Galveston ferry. </p><p>We had a wonderful day, but didn't even have time to visit all the parts of the main refuge, much less get to the Skillern Unit. But come along.....</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuLqXGZRKatdHZow_eMpqkRPdDqUVjTfJEfFOMaLXKi7qmCKQ0rnKvW4t7I5j5cVKbRtvAs3HjFIeggsOrjCtyiWAoHKN8wY9pwaLe6h-hOnvpxZA1LKVWV_sXrOE5AuA7AqISIQ-phm9efkoofTKo3YHACDguCxHVv_OI47tYNwxT1LFN9opCmv_P=s2764" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1345" data-original-width="2764" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuLqXGZRKatdHZow_eMpqkRPdDqUVjTfJEfFOMaLXKi7qmCKQ0rnKvW4t7I5j5cVKbRtvAs3HjFIeggsOrjCtyiWAoHKN8wY9pwaLe6h-hOnvpxZA1LKVWV_sXrOE5AuA7AqISIQ-phm9efkoofTKo3YHACDguCxHVv_OI47tYNwxT1LFN9opCmv_P=w640-h312" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I was completely unable to refind the whooping crane, but we found a field with several groups of sandhill cranes</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0CMBQuiQ_xijkU6rBdnlEf0cBOBw_-mhBicpH4WnnOiYQCMwOzcQ_Oeqb7NggdDDD_Psn7q6u-4JZy0OxbMA2hXuCzxmFvrl3Idj8daplyvcH4gJaHa0of5TCdOONRnpKu9sdTa32T2KP7VnOY46I8_ZVI9Fe-pXxTL2pcfU2QhMuNDRcJwrpENcQ=s2030" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1307" data-original-width="2030" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0CMBQuiQ_xijkU6rBdnlEf0cBOBw_-mhBicpH4WnnOiYQCMwOzcQ_Oeqb7NggdDDD_Psn7q6u-4JZy0OxbMA2hXuCzxmFvrl3Idj8daplyvcH4gJaHa0of5TCdOONRnpKu9sdTa32T2KP7VnOY46I8_ZVI9Fe-pXxTL2pcfU2QhMuNDRcJwrpENcQ=w640-h412" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The first bird we photographed was this red-tail hawk warming himself in the early sunlight</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_hBdFjyoiHsvKEDxWIxhS5YQI_4C5cf1CfxF03t-GKLkvUBKppt8mKmintKrjU1hLSDQ_oIeIxVLRqS6OFeqZ7UAz_YgKhzHICP0kanf8-jIqABjjRkdLw5HMTZDSOejobQB4IhE_TBPycNrecUfWxipJBIU2CtnGMbQluXIJtaIp0NT_xW5PFooM=s2803" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1799" data-original-width="2803" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_hBdFjyoiHsvKEDxWIxhS5YQI_4C5cf1CfxF03t-GKLkvUBKppt8mKmintKrjU1hLSDQ_oIeIxVLRqS6OFeqZ7UAz_YgKhzHICP0kanf8-jIqABjjRkdLw5HMTZDSOejobQB4IhE_TBPycNrecUfWxipJBIU2CtnGMbQluXIJtaIp0NT_xW5PFooM=w640-h410" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We started seeing lots of white-faced ibis as soon as we started around Shoveler Pond, the auto tour</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPrJ-vJp_Hi9EaQSgpv9u-CH088X9a_yRxZp1aNMrtExO6QXs6C11iMqLnAZehiqWjjPlwxgoQeOlYBqSV0Hnr8X3qplW6VMpGhz3yGZ6FOfevZoN4OvCPiWRv5JT1ZK-z0rI9IibunpJRncr06cFZgIkb86Ez0wSCI-nvto4Xysoz6OWm4mUOizqv=s3378" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2579" data-original-width="3378" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPrJ-vJp_Hi9EaQSgpv9u-CH088X9a_yRxZp1aNMrtExO6QXs6C11iMqLnAZehiqWjjPlwxgoQeOlYBqSV0Hnr8X3qplW6VMpGhz3yGZ6FOfevZoN4OvCPiWRv5JT1ZK-z0rI9IibunpJRncr06cFZgIkb86Ez0wSCI-nvto4Xysoz6OWm4mUOizqv=w640-h488" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Many species of birds were hunting together - the ibis' bill is backlit</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKIQRGGeGd_V273iwyXiOuGkXobwMD0pcBBGVPTZ1H9QSryt9ViGN3DUiAMIlOoBx4HRUWMpHLrOPzmMX46YsQBB5MilNbUe9L53EYW9HRE_YCiGnPWuisl5eT2iQk0dsu8qq4GpeOdfhbSgqVj8vqPX0N7LPyGULHyYvKMl7UCYxyVIG1vFeZ-ajG=s3210" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2314" data-original-width="3210" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKIQRGGeGd_V273iwyXiOuGkXobwMD0pcBBGVPTZ1H9QSryt9ViGN3DUiAMIlOoBx4HRUWMpHLrOPzmMX46YsQBB5MilNbUe9L53EYW9HRE_YCiGnPWuisl5eT2iQk0dsu8qq4GpeOdfhbSgqVj8vqPX0N7LPyGULHyYvKMl7UCYxyVIG1vFeZ-ajG=w640-h462" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This little blue was with the above two birds, just a bit too far apart to make a good picture<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="2447" data-original-width="2981" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyy6ZDLsPzbSE7ilxIIIEiK7j3v_KveyHS4gGU2r5CixNubG8sx_3XU_xgSvouEIN2ERzgoHHZurGgAZM6UlCCLi2TsNiG7FSPqbtc7_S7hPjDfquFX6HjlrmtXACqd4X3khN3enJkvU50dpvgHZUG1y3h92vUXYyAKcepj9PDNeFw_xvT3Qla_ejR=w640-h526" style="color: #0000ee; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">One of the birds people make a particular effort to find here is the boat-tailed grackle. Dee and Steve could tell boat-tailed grackles from the more common great-tailed grackles with just a few looks. These birds are slightly smaller, have a MUCH rounder head, a smaller bill, and a blue iridescence</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhw1Nku9vl_kOASDomFiTNolwYEQOecWYQtJzdBofozU2povLVLLNKQwRJ_2nP37UKFsl1VScCQVw8XJkr2WNwu5Qi9vOeZq3LZ0r_4ijyrIYtdL6Td4_3BhL1QL-6-wAGZ5ggm-Dv7DaIm9hZJl7uNgeZFsUg3EX55-XoUhCjq_BsE76kPoYMoJeNA=s4864" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="4864" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhw1Nku9vl_kOASDomFiTNolwYEQOecWYQtJzdBofozU2povLVLLNKQwRJ_2nP37UKFsl1VScCQVw8XJkr2WNwu5Qi9vOeZq3LZ0r_4ijyrIYtdL6Td4_3BhL1QL-6-wAGZ5ggm-Dv7DaIm9hZJl7uNgeZFsUg3EX55-XoUhCjq_BsE76kPoYMoJeNA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">After coots and common gallinules, the two most common birds were black bellied whistling ducks and roseate spoonbills</span></td></tr></tbody></table> <div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9BLpplwhZE0xhb8dt5DcaG_1WME5BoioLJ2NJpA2TybIPSCSOZlS-1BdpalQJuRIQqsaWkfT1BmyDGBSfUE5Y8r06UNioJRlqfmMoKwkV9ERctfcD9A9jn6EmFQ6aQh1wZr9VdDf4e54lI2CTd32EI2397K_5X5pe3egMVkz_I0TYTkJfMFH1Wir0=s3549" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2157" data-original-width="3549" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9BLpplwhZE0xhb8dt5DcaG_1WME5BoioLJ2NJpA2TybIPSCSOZlS-1BdpalQJuRIQqsaWkfT1BmyDGBSfUE5Y8r06UNioJRlqfmMoKwkV9ERctfcD9A9jn6EmFQ6aQh1wZr9VdDf4e54lI2CTd32EI2397K_5X5pe3egMVkz_I0TYTkJfMFH1Wir0=w640-h388" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It seemed some of the birds were starting early courting behavior. I'm not sure if this was courting or fighting</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1pfSzEsk8fKp2Pzt2qXg-YTZSUE5_kxQLr3wLYkdF7za3CH7ON2TiQ0I_nPO0xQMzHo9sJiAG4o6Q2UTZm0pDGi0KBD_VtMxqu60AKrKYM-uDlcn3Fsiu-3Wu-v1MWoFQI-7tcePfj6jmghE0U7fnvCtotIAU68oKWbHSm38lhxI9sns12ZuIFOuo=s3448" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="3448" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1pfSzEsk8fKp2Pzt2qXg-YTZSUE5_kxQLr3wLYkdF7za3CH7ON2TiQ0I_nPO0xQMzHo9sJiAG4o6Q2UTZm0pDGi0KBD_VtMxqu60AKrKYM-uDlcn3Fsiu-3Wu-v1MWoFQI-7tcePfj6jmghE0U7fnvCtotIAU68oKWbHSm38lhxI9sns12ZuIFOuo=w640-h260" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We spent another several delightful minutes watching these white pelicans cooperatively feeding</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjqIKGPWJfmtwpt1IhWgQdeiPSIaziQ0GoG502-tskM6OJfR3NJXnHi0zg6gJ0iLh-lu9XsFSZ34btaM8dZ11CqmjJN96-m-oEhHVdPsN8RknC2ps6u-s3rxmaP_JYCh8G1JTVHZDnzbCZrY2w7Qr4CxKi6UUbKLQvKM4Y0wSmQYmqP1T9OSRaJ-LV=s2837" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="2837" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjqIKGPWJfmtwpt1IhWgQdeiPSIaziQ0GoG502-tskM6OJfR3NJXnHi0zg6gJ0iLh-lu9XsFSZ34btaM8dZ11CqmjJN96-m-oEhHVdPsN8RknC2ps6u-s3rxmaP_JYCh8G1JTVHZDnzbCZrY2w7Qr4CxKi6UUbKLQvKM4Y0wSmQYmqP1T9OSRaJ-LV=w640-h312" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The birds I got most excited about were about a dozen fulvous whistling ducks. I haven't seen any for over a dozen years.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="2982" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbQ9hacoewNswCSz1xitlIQUoyT4QnUFYhyGvJ2XbnDk50ye_MU3P_Tnz8HUzvHcUyT2-7nhUXKZvu35Q5hSwJYASF9h4jJxPc00gRACw9zH7Mn-5GgKZ2NTgcZvohf4EXAOozfMFajnwbwdWVwhydVIpsTTakVzhnf84lYjHhnx9zEz8i2xVOcsxV=w640-h432" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We made it all the way to the end of Frozen Point without seeing many birds, except for a <br />few hawks. But this laughing gull ...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbQ9hacoewNswCSz1xitlIQUoyT4QnUFYhyGvJ2XbnDk50ye_MU3P_Tnz8HUzvHcUyT2-7nhUXKZvu35Q5hSwJYASF9h4jJxPc00gRACw9zH7Mn-5GgKZ2NTgcZvohf4EXAOozfMFajnwbwdWVwhydVIpsTTakVzhnf84lYjHhnx9zEz8i2xVOcsxV=s2982" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgk1fRIUoZTHQ-TSwSiHXMEFjUJ44yU5UzcTWVTjKJPvtwxk93yytFQ0ZFR5Pgao8j3Bn8tcj0iDwDakkPwXC8BzRlP628GXDqux1BEB5kuhYpsRFN_abDTWgWFS1jtKLvzJ9P3dk8f-auFxQZownqMLtRR9jjO1d-hUU2WhXa0OWr-bsh_wYNb5qAF=s3059" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2182" data-original-width="3059" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgk1fRIUoZTHQ-TSwSiHXMEFjUJ44yU5UzcTWVTjKJPvtwxk93yytFQ0ZFR5Pgao8j3Bn8tcj0iDwDakkPwXC8BzRlP628GXDqux1BEB5kuhYpsRFN_abDTWgWFS1jtKLvzJ9P3dk8f-auFxQZownqMLtRR9jjO1d-hUU2WhXa0OWr-bsh_wYNb5qAF=w640-h456" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">...was hanging out with a single ring-billed gull</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiKTuh3OlGOPeFe6binuIIL_IY-Fdm7PguG4EpU1kAhv9qXeU_AS21cK6u4fbPTaNdnlY45Qs7lqL658Fyr0MPO1Zax8Gd_Szriifx1gXqF2cNBa8KiBmJlr6kK0reGo59HKbaGeGOlr-Sxps9d1J5NwW98BDJgmUAiLIejM_0KFElp8_tJ8xBCH-G=s1561" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1561" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiKTuh3OlGOPeFe6binuIIL_IY-Fdm7PguG4EpU1kAhv9qXeU_AS21cK6u4fbPTaNdnlY45Qs7lqL658Fyr0MPO1Zax8Gd_Szriifx1gXqF2cNBa8KiBmJlr6kK0reGo59HKbaGeGOlr-Sxps9d1J5NwW98BDJgmUAiLIejM_0KFElp8_tJ8xBCH-G=w640-h460" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We saw several red-tailed hawks but I liked this one's pugnacious expression best</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2KoQj-vncpIorFD39dQwhdL787Ll7V-tX_gFdqr7lvFuHNQyMsanen4ONiQxu2Vz2tCi5XC5EuCR8lTvxt3Wz86IzIuu3u4qZXUFwOdknSpMgNDUQtgArMgWA_RCBRcvDck16U_-8pJkD5nHZU5enVktUDqA8SZYUPWf3JLnkCQET7TUrKu3IpU63=s2481" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1618" data-original-width="2481" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2KoQj-vncpIorFD39dQwhdL787Ll7V-tX_gFdqr7lvFuHNQyMsanen4ONiQxu2Vz2tCi5XC5EuCR8lTvxt3Wz86IzIuu3u4qZXUFwOdknSpMgNDUQtgArMgWA_RCBRcvDck16U_-8pJkD5nHZU5enVktUDqA8SZYUPWf3JLnkCQET7TUrKu3IpU63=w640-h418" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The last time I visited here only a couple of weeks ago, I got to watch several large flocks<br /> of snow geese and greater </span><span><span style="font-size: x-small;">white-fronted geese fly over. This day, we only saw about <br />15 greater white-fronted geese on the ground <br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>All too soon, and before we could even finish traveling all the roads at the main refuge, much less visit the Skillern unit and do some hiking, we realized, that to take the ferry home and get back about 8:00, we needed to start to the restaurant. When I was last here, Stingeree's, a restaurant that has ALWAYS been here, was closed. I found Steve's Landing which is also on the Intercoastal Canal and only a few miles east of Stingeree's. The food was outstanding, and I figured we could eat outside and enjoy the barges and other boats on the Intercoastal, as well as sunset. Dee and Steve agreed and we had a lovely meal with great entertainment.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5XJ-O4xLWug/YeR8KlHRm1I/AAAAAAAI4wc/cfXknhyk_uUVqYNCZ2RVXFzKtCcFZHfEgCNcBGAsYHQ/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_8505.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5XJ-O4xLWug/YeR8KlHRm1I/AAAAAAAI4wc/cfXknhyk_uUVqYNCZ2RVXFzKtCcFZHfEgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_8505.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This shrimp boat came to the marina next to the restaurant</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgIRv9cZiFPN1URAlyynop56Mwd-03HW-FAWMEwN2jcOcKJHJ7m-69qzWK14i_bMlitbsdln8XNGiApzOE9pL3yjAb9lOCUv60Uhn45iOH77gUMuCsDAnbdYtM9aKfP_WmSz0GCzNGWxweEQ5nOnUcwA6Pbtn7mcHpBJfYzmObTH47B1lI7XxFsC62=s4864" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="4864" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgIRv9cZiFPN1URAlyynop56Mwd-03HW-FAWMEwN2jcOcKJHJ7m-69qzWK14i_bMlitbsdln8XNGiApzOE9pL3yjAb9lOCUv60Uhn45iOH77gUMuCsDAnbdYtM9aKfP_WmSz0GCzNGWxweEQ5nOnUcwA6Pbtn7mcHpBJfYzmObTH47B1lI7XxFsC62=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The day was done and so were we</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For my eBird list, click here: <a href="https://ebird.org/checklist/S100745702">https://ebird.org/checklist/S100745702</a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-4853841190327505242022-01-11T21:26:00.002-06:002022-01-16T12:38:09.532-06:00A Banquet for the Birds<p> On Monday, January 10, Stan and I plus two or our new volunteers, Steve and Tracy, joined local volunteers to put in a hard physical day on cleaning up our island gardens in the parking lot. Later I went to see how our resident birds were faring after two days of clouds and some rain and high winds. My first surprise was in finding two large alligators out in the wind that was so cold, I had to run the car heater to be able to shoot out the windows. Then, almost across the street, the normally empty ditch and the land on either side of it was full of birds sheltering from the wind and hunting their evening meal. Great egrets and great blue herons mixed with snowy egrets, ibis, roseate spoonbills and neotropical cormorants.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCtYSX2Ib75raAL5FqUR76ZrCkBnwquiwwQYYhS4hmp68ZanMOhLeZyhq3U_vLuq-dGqJiK8XRCYGe8_nAvJFZ8Ww7KsdVNVgzaCF7Aj-E-jTs3VKqTXZs1Xc0zcZKjg5PmXVzSS68p7CZeVlzzpX2x2WOWpLCFWc9kAN1TQd9HO0Wmu7udQE45R7q=s4804" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2559" data-original-width="4804" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCtYSX2Ib75raAL5FqUR76ZrCkBnwquiwwQYYhS4hmp68ZanMOhLeZyhq3U_vLuq-dGqJiK8XRCYGe8_nAvJFZ8Ww7KsdVNVgzaCF7Aj-E-jTs3VKqTXZs1Xc0zcZKjg5PmXVzSS68p7CZeVlzzpX2x2WOWpLCFWc9kAN1TQd9HO0Wmu7udQE45R7q=w640-h340" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Alligator Pair</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdmLTuLlZ7843UlXVxN4ghktpo5nofBjS8C_uSlZXkqILKp2suY6NNFUJl2LzIKovptN4FTdFYzj8ikZaMv7eexrAJUErvIDocW6J__BYJ3FL_oYtYir4J5FdXE7MJYPZ3umoJX06qIkKLYkkaxhhHAiyHX9SL0M3NX1bAYaZB1u8KdsQZKhYnX5MG=s2898" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="2898" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdmLTuLlZ7843UlXVxN4ghktpo5nofBjS8C_uSlZXkqILKp2suY6NNFUJl2LzIKovptN4FTdFYzj8ikZaMv7eexrAJUErvIDocW6J__BYJ3FL_oYtYir4J5FdXE7MJYPZ3umoJX06qIkKLYkkaxhhHAiyHX9SL0M3NX1bAYaZB1u8KdsQZKhYnX5MG=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Roseate spoonbills and great blue heron hiding from the wind</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>After several minutes of enjoying the interactions of the birds, I slowly continued to Olney Pond, where there were piles of white birds, along the edges, and the pond, now dramatically lower than when I saw it the morning before, was full of swimming and wading birds. Herons, egrets, spoonbills, greater and lesser yellowlegs, white and white-faced ibis, dowitchers, plovers, sandpipers, all the resident duck species, and even a few species of gulls were feeding or loafing. It looked like a major party, complete with drunk fights. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnaWSfKWJbNnHAB5hh3YvqlsMO1_9H-mDNx1ibQARnzKR1BC1ejz6FNcF5JRU2sb0YKWO6V-alQznRz9BZxZT6V3EHOqEgQKtV2z6O4GJfZx_8pvZpN3a-000n9Jr73q8a3HIp_xL-PS3__dshqUjTB71V6QtVZtn3F75o2E_9NQrtm3R2k0_03LQ0=s4087" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1789" data-original-width="4087" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnaWSfKWJbNnHAB5hh3YvqlsMO1_9H-mDNx1ibQARnzKR1BC1ejz6FNcF5JRU2sb0YKWO6V-alQznRz9BZxZT6V3EHOqEgQKtV2z6O4GJfZx_8pvZpN3a-000n9Jr73q8a3HIp_xL-PS3__dshqUjTB71V6QtVZtn3F75o2E_9NQrtm3R2k0_03LQ0=w640-h280" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I thought these would be pelicans instead of white ibis</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQcmdO5sFGT1yg1RiqVKon4PkF0oACTfSUo9crlUZR4BkF8Q9xGIMNwV9ifpvSzop-O7knqj1FbrlXjIGzIK_J-m00nOlEz6M74upxpuTE8NpUEt5oRS7NYWaDrbtZFlAktAzuU_US-ixkK1y_sN8rr1tRh_gAd-JXyAPTHJwOTqLaF9c_hCKTDP5G=s2590" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="2590" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQcmdO5sFGT1yg1RiqVKon4PkF0oACTfSUo9crlUZR4BkF8Q9xGIMNwV9ifpvSzop-O7knqj1FbrlXjIGzIK_J-m00nOlEz6M74upxpuTE8NpUEt5oRS7NYWaDrbtZFlAktAzuU_US-ixkK1y_sN8rr1tRh_gAd-JXyAPTHJwOTqLaF9c_hCKTDP5G=w640-h260" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Four species together</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiy8grYs-axLNAvXvgioYhJi2kDzmgDlONRNQwbfh5gR25nbkhTZchrFbq1vh6mNcVl9htxqKhL-aICEA0yxQYCe5VObBgJTCn753HXofdS-7rrEVqFSduzg-tkRbe4vJHiV3sWya2q8m43pnGz4Pd7md7kbbgXrq_-SrC_E5vHi1783cGiHGaHVtXk=s3559" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2667" data-original-width="3559" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiy8grYs-axLNAvXvgioYhJi2kDzmgDlONRNQwbfh5gR25nbkhTZchrFbq1vh6mNcVl9htxqKhL-aICEA0yxQYCe5VObBgJTCn753HXofdS-7rrEVqFSduzg-tkRbe4vJHiV3sWya2q8m43pnGz4Pd7md7kbbgXrq_-SrC_E5vHi1783cGiHGaHVtXk=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I was able to get closer to many greater yellowlegs</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJ_DSNAvBB886QuvEan5tBnXsqtdvYBP_E4h5sEpjT8j5gbMceSpdIHKnU1bQjyGjr4nnd1ATk2Qf_9_LKuUpF7L5aBMC8DY6XPkYddtD9ZzmZT5yBtfVeq2Z4ITaE_F0Wi6wDD21eQ58-7iKv4Od9dqLN_GHHIWnkxp6LToD-BtjqGCKwanJVTFTv=s2743" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2292" data-original-width="2743" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJ_DSNAvBB886QuvEan5tBnXsqtdvYBP_E4h5sEpjT8j5gbMceSpdIHKnU1bQjyGjr4nnd1ATk2Qf_9_LKuUpF7L5aBMC8DY6XPkYddtD9ZzmZT5yBtfVeq2Z4ITaE_F0Wi6wDD21eQ58-7iKv4Od9dqLN_GHHIWnkxp6LToD-BtjqGCKwanJVTFTv=w640-h534" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gulls also were hanging out closer than usual - this one was sitting in a bush at the side of the road</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCYwoEURCjK2RDLs3xwYEwHRpxHGhmeSQcnOC_F3d5u6-TwX4OdHSK2EaTsC9p4H13vcl0D40voRTQ95Npwnxfbz5xhCHqErq4wF6eDSBm9aGQaAF96y9J75aUfxoc2BGCm2BFU4ANeCpoBcVxirUXY8fjVgS5ZyWdc0kN_U7xhidIjvSyIwNeKvdk=s2686" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2302" data-original-width="2686" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCYwoEURCjK2RDLs3xwYEwHRpxHGhmeSQcnOC_F3d5u6-TwX4OdHSK2EaTsC9p4H13vcl0D40voRTQ95Npwnxfbz5xhCHqErq4wF6eDSBm9aGQaAF96y9J75aUfxoc2BGCm2BFU4ANeCpoBcVxirUXY8fjVgS5ZyWdc0kN_U7xhidIjvSyIwNeKvdk=w640-h548" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I took the dowitchers but got a gull and green-winged teal</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2275" data-original-width="3384" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix-QlHKiyiHAXH3iogIuwEo8leIRMwt4UhaEbYDfllOQ0xtJE838dQLJJtuC9mEG-ICCKzNNeM3T792_hpYCBplTOCvgAYCXO3Po1ushMlG-RN4j_ClmKsc-Sknu86CuSsHaxyZXcuEiKv4bP-YpPYUZFijPg21xjxjLlu71YTlwwK95slIafBlGia=w640-h430" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Several little blue herons were hunting in the ditch across the road from the pond</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix-QlHKiyiHAXH3iogIuwEo8leIRMwt4UhaEbYDfllOQ0xtJE838dQLJJtuC9mEG-ICCKzNNeM3T792_hpYCBplTOCvgAYCXO3Po1ushMlG-RN4j_ClmKsc-Sknu86CuSsHaxyZXcuEiKv4bP-YpPYUZFijPg21xjxjLlu71YTlwwK95slIafBlGia=s3384" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiR1Psvys0d7PltJepZ9HbaNxSfgP5CjSZufBql0ERSOLosxC72g142UHhsjs4HeiQgX2eTxb8uaHEDPzAuLggJCgjPs_ghQlwlwyrkDUGdZ5CNMal_qPBGSaNm0SDuA4If5gjhmRcm8MyLId2U_GCBky0gBpqDIFl4pPgnUmGRZElx10LI69WV9z6E=s4692" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1355" data-original-width="4692" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiR1Psvys0d7PltJepZ9HbaNxSfgP5CjSZufBql0ERSOLosxC72g142UHhsjs4HeiQgX2eTxb8uaHEDPzAuLggJCgjPs_ghQlwlwyrkDUGdZ5CNMal_qPBGSaNm0SDuA4If5gjhmRcm8MyLId2U_GCBky0gBpqDIFl4pPgnUmGRZElx10LI69WV9z6E=w640-h184" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is only the back half of the view - I accidently set the camera to an effect that blurs the <br />foreground so cropped this to just the back half. These are gadwalls and wigeons.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1320" data-original-width="2270" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVJ07njCnvyzdl61pPFSlXdlznTfV7kRE38HHbEws0lKo7s1RqiQQXSOeRTarKRXKEcHdnBQLB5yPXtu-cPxSq9KEEmOgLCQh-v0uG8Xld5rHvnnAiUfgGvAqS_2nhekAnVM8rDirjSJZn27IEA8AZCi775EYmyQb7fx1sVJn4NqcjPTgh9kAWnMZF=w640-h372" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Not all white birds are egrets - this is a first year little blue heron</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVJ07njCnvyzdl61pPFSlXdlznTfV7kRE38HHbEws0lKo7s1RqiQQXSOeRTarKRXKEcHdnBQLB5yPXtu-cPxSq9KEEmOgLCQh-v0uG8Xld5rHvnnAiUfgGvAqS_2nhekAnVM8rDirjSJZn27IEA8AZCi775EYmyQb7fx1sVJn4NqcjPTgh9kAWnMZF=s2270" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPB7YVxuAD5BwfhpeV_c6FQf3omUUZYc6NJecVeUw8uZNsB7_lc8LC7qTvSt1DbwLtcUyzIX7Eqh7u2Pf928fFrWXpZDTesP_fhgryD4vmuDwHuaSI0AHyPekJm2PA66gzTUrcUJhGJUUznZXVILq219K-lOq45sKBW-j8RgS6kiHzm5PM5odxeC88=s2218" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1526" data-original-width="2218" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPB7YVxuAD5BwfhpeV_c6FQf3omUUZYc6NJecVeUw8uZNsB7_lc8LC7qTvSt1DbwLtcUyzIX7Eqh7u2Pf928fFrWXpZDTesP_fhgryD4vmuDwHuaSI0AHyPekJm2PA66gzTUrcUJhGJUUznZXVILq219K-lOq45sKBW-j8RgS6kiHzm5PM5odxeC88=w640-h440" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This group of white-faced ibis flew in and found a little space in which to feed</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn7zcqyCUCM9dCpJK_GPYYApBsy31hz-cmevZ2KEW_lv0b4X_i4JcthcV2mHbt7k_vN1_ph7HM2QtABy5kPDQlo45wK0euxIKmU25m44lDNXfeH7TgnVmLBpo_yjCKfPO2wy__q35Mw1zycJDQ49O4E_bS1Xj-sUycSEWdi7bQXqRMfoPD9_wSRbVH=s2191" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="2191" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn7zcqyCUCM9dCpJK_GPYYApBsy31hz-cmevZ2KEW_lv0b4X_i4JcthcV2mHbt7k_vN1_ph7HM2QtABy5kPDQlo45wK0euxIKmU25m44lDNXfeH7TgnVmLBpo_yjCKfPO2wy__q35Mw1zycJDQ49O4E_bS1Xj-sUycSEWdi7bQXqRMfoPD9_wSRbVH=w640-h316" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My prize bird - first shot of a lesser black-backed gull</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJjUGjVvlhsF-6jxRQnQIy71ryildf8axeAt9JfkRGWeR66o-mRdyFNC7oMvlAhhWpG2Ur_eik4c2YtxPEEq4VaKazgGZGP-XA_4YFW0iqnc58fFBNUwn64vBxjAMtHezmEGWw_5_LJqjDDoRZUzKQitmWWv_o9_84optACajLM_KXVPyY0foaB_PN=s2528" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1320" data-original-width="2528" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJjUGjVvlhsF-6jxRQnQIy71ryildf8axeAt9JfkRGWeR66o-mRdyFNC7oMvlAhhWpG2Ur_eik4c2YtxPEEq4VaKazgGZGP-XA_4YFW0iqnc58fFBNUwn64vBxjAMtHezmEGWw_5_LJqjDDoRZUzKQitmWWv_o9_84optACajLM_KXVPyY0foaB_PN=w640-h334" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">These two appeared to be dancing as they fed</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>I enjoyed watching a white ibis catch a crab. Then mayhem ensued. A bully gull saw the ibis catch the crab and decided to relieve him of it. Two other gulls saw the action and decided to join in the chase. I shot wildly, but only got a few pictures of the chase. The birds flew behind the car before I learned who actually got to eat the crab. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzMaM2W6D--xJ5tS3j-pTLbD-OjiYOHZxrsfLrIpRQW-OQiYCJCU8NFFjlWFaoBhkpBKyIDDUsHbKyjE6kFDk4jAYvMNZ4QKIx9tz15yXhXmbeTMOtRy1rPqqYNMhcNKZ9QlRfdqlbCKLOjql33WJl1O2R2bc7IqrjIy4vNWtJHm-MN_-C8iSufTpy=s2250" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1565" data-original-width="2250" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzMaM2W6D--xJ5tS3j-pTLbD-OjiYOHZxrsfLrIpRQW-OQiYCJCU8NFFjlWFaoBhkpBKyIDDUsHbKyjE6kFDk4jAYvMNZ4QKIx9tz15yXhXmbeTMOtRy1rPqqYNMhcNKZ9QlRfdqlbCKLOjql33WJl1O2R2bc7IqrjIy4vNWtJHm-MN_-C8iSufTpy=w640-h446" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ah, dinner at last</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXP_r4lXF8ZjY_uv8u0N63LH0gZwvWOjUOAyz1jBwDMIkh2uUDrQ7yv5XoPr38sADNnuoV9bJNdYz7SwKN4Yo2oXjZGct_lKycOxJd6ofYwdHsniLj-sNzNNcqz0kqKr2e3BQKAbxR5kPB-bleuGdT7ZWWy7eJm31a7lQtNaBugBwUz215-zwec8mQ=s4864" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="4864" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXP_r4lXF8ZjY_uv8u0N63LH0gZwvWOjUOAyz1jBwDMIkh2uUDrQ7yv5XoPr38sADNnuoV9bJNdYz7SwKN4Yo2oXjZGct_lKycOxJd6ofYwdHsniLj-sNzNNcqz0kqKr2e3BQKAbxR5kPB-bleuGdT7ZWWy7eJm31a7lQtNaBugBwUz215-zwec8mQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Then a bully gull spotted the successful bird and leaped after the ibis</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiknxITV7aytueUx43hF59sthvHY3ZF7V44jy21Zgnv65M1O5uKO5dlJb_Gis_IYZoZXUR7ufoFqIRo1FhCLvJ8-RF8W3uE7TkdSiIJeUFkpS34rBfHrIDR2yfD3AqwRDKbSKsEZTQhs6SBQa_3AZGeDCioN4eCRfA3YPTFj0v_61XM9l7iyvtjwlxd=s4864" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="4864" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiknxITV7aytueUx43hF59sthvHY3ZF7V44jy21Zgnv65M1O5uKO5dlJb_Gis_IYZoZXUR7ufoFqIRo1FhCLvJ8-RF8W3uE7TkdSiIJeUFkpS34rBfHrIDR2yfD3AqwRDKbSKsEZTQhs6SBQa_3AZGeDCioN4eCRfA3YPTFj0v_61XM9l7iyvtjwlxd=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A chase ensued</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfg2C8mOEZXEo3Q2SvENAHef89oNSTevZyQ3rP_RRqDze9iJ4qzE9Sp7SdW3vpbBhkmLDNrzQg7DIA9keZcif85ZnFSKAdMMl83q7xGnEbIZypeOjqeiYmv9tZV5MkroKDguc1bT1vQrU_2wA2doI3ZLGqaDTDsOJnqBVR1r7JrZMjojZQpcmppQ21=s4864" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="4864" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfg2C8mOEZXEo3Q2SvENAHef89oNSTevZyQ3rP_RRqDze9iJ4qzE9Sp7SdW3vpbBhkmLDNrzQg7DIA9keZcif85ZnFSKAdMMl83q7xGnEbIZypeOjqeiYmv9tZV5MkroKDguc1bT1vQrU_2wA2doI3ZLGqaDTDsOJnqBVR1r7JrZMjojZQpcmppQ21=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The ibis thought it could stop but the gull kept up the chase</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2703" data-original-width="3730" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq_5h2KRstPJo-WmyWX7uYQUe5FsH4iDl5AZkpQpHcTB4o20BssCT3t20J4XgnBzU7jnsYGyfkvLlwbaifJjcc8p91iDHJ5Kzypn3F6YM3jdHRJ6V6S1GZlCzcvb_g7fgiLLH4ceXKac-mAjtETSCqe8GpJY3vQGIBv0eFUZxg17ZIgLxl7LRQyHDp=w640-h464" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Other gulls joined the chase and soon four gulls were harassing the ibis. They flew behind the car and I didn't see the end. <br />But I'm sure that crab ended up in some gull's stomach.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I found a few more birds on the rest of the refuge, most notably the first kestrel I've seen here. THAN, the sun kicked in with a gorgeous sunset, All in all, it was a most satisfactory day. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhq_5h2KRstPJo-WmyWX7uYQUe5FsH4iDl5AZkpQpHcTB4o20BssCT3t20J4XgnBzU7jnsYGyfkvLlwbaifJjcc8p91iDHJ5Kzypn3F6YM3jdHRJ6V6S1GZlCzcvb_g7fgiLLH4ceXKac-mAjtETSCqe8GpJY3vQGIBv0eFUZxg17ZIgLxl7LRQyHDp=s3730" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8G9LKDHVgIa1o18t99cjgUtU7JXeyyk00qx_Put-ZOMSYX2SYrzhhZqFii4dPn2AOTPdGfNekrXMlhjYEkwZklBcxVM6ke-EMmTsgSI7cew5lKRyjQYPaVhLbN3nK4vCwObkmvw_PiGr_u0IoGgkbhVqmqs0-lmmHtb_D9XAkKjUCjQU9G8ccVpSS=s1406" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1406" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8G9LKDHVgIa1o18t99cjgUtU7JXeyyk00qx_Put-ZOMSYX2SYrzhhZqFii4dPn2AOTPdGfNekrXMlhjYEkwZklBcxVM6ke-EMmTsgSI7cew5lKRyjQYPaVhLbN3nK4vCwObkmvw_PiGr_u0IoGgkbhVqmqs0-lmmHtb_D9XAkKjUCjQU9G8ccVpSS=w640-h524" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Male kestrel</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivFHu3PEHIEFIkYKOy1EQDKgN85BMMS-zVheSFY-u64n8HzdoUa4eWJOpMnt5HsQbCNAdRTZwc1B46OOBH9jcr4poeh7KMyhMsbjBbiTbb8n2ScruuRWt3RP3cb9efUyJ87UUfeypf3LGl38UkV56y6ZWUX_871nECqLfzJvUvk8k_OfYxJzkRflOr=s4864" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="4864" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivFHu3PEHIEFIkYKOy1EQDKgN85BMMS-zVheSFY-u64n8HzdoUa4eWJOpMnt5HsQbCNAdRTZwc1B46OOBH9jcr4poeh7KMyhMsbjBbiTbb8n2ScruuRWt3RP3cb9efUyJ87UUfeypf3LGl38UkV56y6ZWUX_871nECqLfzJvUvk8k_OfYxJzkRflOr=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I had time to get back to our fishing spot on Bastrop Bayou for a front seat view</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-38000884380265608982022-01-02T18:11:00.000-06:002022-01-02T18:11:47.688-06:00Chasing Birds<p> On my last days off, I decided to wander where my spirit moved me and see how many birds I could photograph. I first went south to San Bernard where there were few birds and none willing to come close enough for pictures. I was only able to get a eastern phoebe along the trails. The ponds only had common gallinules and American coots except for one alligator and two blue-winged teal. The auto tour felt like Brazoria, with lots of coots, gallinules and blue-winged teal. The most activity was at the viewing platform, which had lots of herons, egrets, ibis, and teal. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiv1yVesrclk7Pxj1sLsru6AqPfle3Smzb6yUyEWoH6Q7uT1QPCioTa5_rKuWRcGeT-A_GYfnPfjRE5v7GcK-kiRs6dapuDOE3Whlwd9qGr_JccK0yuaz5grt9rzVKmfYEFDzPavpxo4VgnOJOaXqtTR24XYadSKN4_iYFlY3f2K_RZE1RXpaPU_S57=s1317" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1317" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiv1yVesrclk7Pxj1sLsru6AqPfle3Smzb6yUyEWoH6Q7uT1QPCioTa5_rKuWRcGeT-A_GYfnPfjRE5v7GcK-kiRs6dapuDOE3Whlwd9qGr_JccK0yuaz5grt9rzVKmfYEFDzPavpxo4VgnOJOaXqtTR24XYadSKN4_iYFlY3f2K_RZE1RXpaPU_S57=w640-h504" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Eastern phoebe</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBRGUDVl6oPclNpgSu4-fBgSFvWMTOO7UyAZYFPniTlpLvwZyxNTgG8WWtFiV5ZfhsuM3Jy_jVSU4JSEG2BCjybsGNi2c8SckmwGX0HPkzUUDhKzVQWyPT7TBzrYGugxCc3f1nG6HmLhm52SXe5hKwwuEytS_TgsOQ2nXlhFnfynBaJR2hie4hKSC9=s5472" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBRGUDVl6oPclNpgSu4-fBgSFvWMTOO7UyAZYFPniTlpLvwZyxNTgG8WWtFiV5ZfhsuM3Jy_jVSU4JSEG2BCjybsGNi2c8SckmwGX0HPkzUUDhKzVQWyPT7TBzrYGugxCc3f1nG6HmLhm52SXe5hKwwuEytS_TgsOQ2nXlhFnfynBaJR2hie4hKSC9=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The viewing platform was getting a lot of use</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>By late morning, I was starving, so set my GPS for On the River Restaurant in Freeport. The meal was delicious. I checked out the Old Brazos River across the street, but only found a an osprey. Soon I was on my way to Galveston to catch the ferry. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT4LWXAFaGiOvOjitrUvaTdFt0RRTZIHReA3_Am4Furq70-pF4y94BIxtgEU6ufY3X5v0zT3LRUg8Z3RSBPui60rS6dkFPNcOx1O5vsnsELyWnAsN9tdrkld9vXste5-Su9C690rmOG1MZlKReBAkrBRoPnbo4biQkvc2g6kr1r7hUTDQhhbXC-0Vn=s1910" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1910" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT4LWXAFaGiOvOjitrUvaTdFt0RRTZIHReA3_Am4Furq70-pF4y94BIxtgEU6ufY3X5v0zT3LRUg8Z3RSBPui60rS6dkFPNcOx1O5vsnsELyWnAsN9tdrkld9vXste5-Su9C690rmOG1MZlKReBAkrBRoPnbo4biQkvc2g6kr1r7hUTDQhhbXC-0Vn=w640-h382" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Osprey</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>That trip lasted much longer than I expected, as it took three ferries to get all people ahead of me across. So I ended up crossing at sunset and not getting to bird Bolivar, North Jetty and all the other birding hot spots along the way. I got excited about eating at Stingaree Restaurant only to find it was closed. So I checked what other eateries were along the way. I found a new-to-me Steve's Landing Restaurant. It didn't have nearly enough wait people for the crowd, but the shrimp tacos were by far the best I've ever eaten. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisgNtDo9d_SMSXol-W3RcFEVNg0GT47X9twjndggbLA4yUMAsD6vQ0T8mlOXi-8TTU56CBIJpRgLgFDnrC8H9LdraABUHJuNdfThLICMMGKNiiHTYd-wRhT0TngBThu_K3CB2i55FlB_NGSDrqO473eUef6QkNntqY4xDEMpZ_yOOWip2PlFBoSoz8=s5140" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3426" data-original-width="5140" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisgNtDo9d_SMSXol-W3RcFEVNg0GT47X9twjndggbLA4yUMAsD6vQ0T8mlOXi-8TTU56CBIJpRgLgFDnrC8H9LdraABUHJuNdfThLICMMGKNiiHTYd-wRhT0TngBThu_K3CB2i55FlB_NGSDrqO473eUef6QkNntqY4xDEMpZ_yOOWip2PlFBoSoz8=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sunset from the ferry</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjP8L6c7C5rN44RgUGe9fEmnUnT_4f2m-EuyhtDTwf7yJlSMS4-Iv7FrBcrhfLMcauCJxbRm5PczvRc2rH_JiEcpdULT3HOfj6g-9hTeNPp6F7uycZGAx8i0nrTuFWVyQNbXdzZvp5jWk_0FW27Y2OjioG4QqHijw7x9J3YfH3UZZ8IXc705QxXXf2x=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjP8L6c7C5rN44RgUGe9fEmnUnT_4f2m-EuyhtDTwf7yJlSMS4-Iv7FrBcrhfLMcauCJxbRm5PczvRc2rH_JiEcpdULT3HOfj6g-9hTeNPp6F7uycZGAx8i0nrTuFWVyQNbXdzZvp5jWk_0FW27Y2OjioG4QqHijw7x9J3YfH3UZZ8IXc705QxXXf2x=w640-h480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sleep spot</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjP8L6c7C5rN44RgUGe9fEmnUnT_4f2m-EuyhtDTwf7yJlSMS4-Iv7FrBcrhfLMcauCJxbRm5PczvRc2rH_JiEcpdULT3HOfj6g-9hTeNPp6F7uycZGAx8i0nrTuFWVyQNbXdzZvp5jWk_0FW27Y2OjioG4QqHijw7x9J3YfH3UZZ8IXc705QxXXf2x=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><p>My goal for the following day was to be at Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge at sunrise. I slept at the rest stop in Chambers County where I enjoyed the lullaby provided by the eighteen wheelers. The sun and I arrived simultaneously at the entrance to Anahuac. I started off the day by watching huge flocks of geese fly out. I had fun driving around the auto tour, although there were fewer birds than I expected. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKCSuybyVxvlOMkcs9f081-ZSkBmBfee8NrUpGOnR8cdJGpuBDNAhQjtWjOvYLTuNEOis07KsKzrc6h9NHTTRzYiaJD40llEI3qLONTmxcDBsNpSKAW27-TIPzqWYNarTwcMvAkkrO7wTUtDlre7yyvYVzmOqfh1otWXs97m7jskvvet_m-QvftWKf=s5472" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKCSuybyVxvlOMkcs9f081-ZSkBmBfee8NrUpGOnR8cdJGpuBDNAhQjtWjOvYLTuNEOis07KsKzrc6h9NHTTRzYiaJD40llEI3qLONTmxcDBsNpSKAW27-TIPzqWYNarTwcMvAkkrO7wTUtDlre7yyvYVzmOqfh1otWXs97m7jskvvet_m-QvftWKf=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dawn sky filling with birds</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpUS9YvZEV7VjmxzTguBiLdlCfqL1c11nBa1cVfWrfoM20QUuz5OHtKSw_h4LctJWjJAYHCCk8kZd81Pf0810oMb78WcuMU6cv9xZFeWft4p7MWMrZ92GsPSJ4VSnhp7i7U18Icb2oSJi-C-fUx9oBo3HIn7_FNHbRPk_uC9rRuk79yJGNol0es-6d=s5472" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpUS9YvZEV7VjmxzTguBiLdlCfqL1c11nBa1cVfWrfoM20QUuz5OHtKSw_h4LctJWjJAYHCCk8kZd81Pf0810oMb78WcuMU6cv9xZFeWft4p7MWMrZ92GsPSJ4VSnhp7i7U18Icb2oSJi-C-fUx9oBo3HIn7_FNHbRPk_uC9rRuk79yJGNol0es-6d=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A flock of white-faced ibis</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2669" data-original-width="4363" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSmtav2zyOBykQIeIFojdsvQA2vY9l4PK4rOiUZa78GJF_QLBBNZBrpOW4BJt2OadbUrGMCFEDpENMfKhi7EsT9Y67R8rz1-I55SmEJkmeMIVLksOgb2gjDeNGXpXQqHm_Aiw4oSS7ceVq7YMzgtoQ9KwD_XMAvv6hUOWH0NyoF6VRR9QZvCcfXXcG=w640-h392" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closer view of a white-faced ibis</td></tr></tbody></table><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSmtav2zyOBykQIeIFojdsvQA2vY9l4PK4rOiUZa78GJF_QLBBNZBrpOW4BJt2OadbUrGMCFEDpENMfKhi7EsT9Y67R8rz1-I55SmEJkmeMIVLksOgb2gjDeNGXpXQqHm_Aiw4oSS7ceVq7YMzgtoQ9KwD_XMAvv6hUOWH0NyoF6VRR9QZvCcfXXcG=s4363" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhYSNOuEXztsxLtj739IzfcqLg0NafrytDNMAv2QCpfo4ZmkGMSA2bD_rbW50wfZ6zoKHUPFqm3hLDnmkB3g0QKN6HOE8PLC7LH6610igPD5BfW40RHuFjSvHzy5f9ecQt4UIhcfaYewEN2jUxebTnW8rkO0myiLTEkM79Wc2fIiB3pSs8TvRuVNIK=s5472" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhYSNOuEXztsxLtj739IzfcqLg0NafrytDNMAv2QCpfo4ZmkGMSA2bD_rbW50wfZ6zoKHUPFqm3hLDnmkB3g0QKN6HOE8PLC7LH6610igPD5BfW40RHuFjSvHzy5f9ecQt4UIhcfaYewEN2jUxebTnW8rkO0myiLTEkM79Wc2fIiB3pSs8TvRuVNIK=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of a few visible alligators</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRUJUqQdLmiT5FcnIK3uqu21nLdElBbVbYRU-2L0NsbsPg9jJVpiyxzeFPvVuqOerPm2A8w9yiWIEDSU2jnvQsJj1CZ0ZIJPZBFJwmz5V900r89JRO-qFWNrvc0surL6B83nzhUWIm7sq1RKP-t8PfyHe81m-coEyhoOrC-AZm6xghD5JoCULxAuVs=s1792" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1792" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRUJUqQdLmiT5FcnIK3uqu21nLdElBbVbYRU-2L0NsbsPg9jJVpiyxzeFPvVuqOerPm2A8w9yiWIEDSU2jnvQsJj1CZ0ZIJPZBFJwmz5V900r89JRO-qFWNrvc0surL6B83nzhUWIm7sq1RKP-t8PfyHe81m-coEyhoOrC-AZm6xghD5JoCULxAuVs=w640-h392" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A distant view of black necked stilts</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb86lQCJ7l13BnWEjPKo7jQHClDBlzZF_oTk4NVzSKAoQRoghOCWCdQL1iaEDzI6djsd-qR7yV_p4wIlOk_RBqKu84Avfmum66ayFkne3sSiR4nIVKSW3-E472EOm14wzZitmGSPcmNXxQA_CsSCG5ROvxa0hdws-NoDZcDiuy03JNXDtxVLGA6R6T=s3251" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1933" data-original-width="3251" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb86lQCJ7l13BnWEjPKo7jQHClDBlzZF_oTk4NVzSKAoQRoghOCWCdQL1iaEDzI6djsd-qR7yV_p4wIlOk_RBqKu84Avfmum66ayFkne3sSiR4nIVKSW3-E472EOm14wzZitmGSPcmNXxQA_CsSCG5ROvxa0hdws-NoDZcDiuy03JNXDtxVLGA6R6T=w640-h380" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pair of caracaras</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>I finished up my Anahuac tour by going to frozen point, stopping to photograph the huge flock of black bellied whistling ducks. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGUgIN-kFigc4g5ZUsbm_vF3vfPBG0Z9af0okj8dJLT87SOWed4GtoQnL1hxH54Wn_voKHoHyDqScRx1Me5SmskYguQjAUHVlJ6dZPZASxCiCfrZhUCdacKBi6F3tAcl1t63k-I8h1waBEGVf12c8G0mlN5UkOHY314NDlo7xeLK_Jj69KxWl5fDGc=s4692" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3033" data-original-width="4692" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGUgIN-kFigc4g5ZUsbm_vF3vfPBG0Z9af0okj8dJLT87SOWed4GtoQnL1hxH54Wn_voKHoHyDqScRx1Me5SmskYguQjAUHVlJ6dZPZASxCiCfrZhUCdacKBi6F3tAcl1t63k-I8h1waBEGVf12c8G0mlN5UkOHY314NDlo7xeLK_Jj69KxWl5fDGc=w640-h414" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fly up of black bellied whistling ducks</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjm-1J0SF8QgiVgy75tQ2Kj6ImLoPOUTuyGRWp5_33jtQQRZ6E3i1sDfkGFQcmuClCPuNACjwrfA1wk_S7emcCIRjldJRKdar7e0kwbKSUHyZ69864uxngmNq2x7omixWC-AawFpR9Oor140-zYcOICpRm9Imd9Vn0q-kc-9qVm7HrH3ARuuCGDFUPx=s3898" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2660" data-original-width="3898" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjm-1J0SF8QgiVgy75tQ2Kj6ImLoPOUTuyGRWp5_33jtQQRZ6E3i1sDfkGFQcmuClCPuNACjwrfA1wk_S7emcCIRjldJRKdar7e0kwbKSUHyZ69864uxngmNq2x7omixWC-AawFpR9Oor140-zYcOICpRm9Imd9Vn0q-kc-9qVm7HrH3ARuuCGDFUPx=w640-h436" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A pair of very tame neotropic cormorants</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>I also wanted to find to find the whooping crane that has been spending winters near Winnie, Texas. I used the coordinates provided by e-bird and found it in the same field where it was originally reported. After enjoying some time with it, I went after supper and another night at a rest stop. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoto5769PXCdP6LPI8saw2054r0KOThrcYebIxawCp4La17k91TAc0vd96ufEvMBIJOooiefEW-0YO2oG1j9TmimDSs_jA5ZU5AvT9SnysMzQEn0_kEvXMsIlpRzX9VpDr4w_iVhyZBThM7gexkzg_y8jwA0l8tJ8dDQjJiIa-C_DYIaCLOX_0h5lO=s1989" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1285" data-original-width="1989" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoto5769PXCdP6LPI8saw2054r0KOThrcYebIxawCp4La17k91TAc0vd96ufEvMBIJOooiefEW-0YO2oG1j9TmimDSs_jA5ZU5AvT9SnysMzQEn0_kEvXMsIlpRzX9VpDr4w_iVhyZBThM7gexkzg_y8jwA0l8tJ8dDQjJiIa-C_DYIaCLOX_0h5lO=w640-h414" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whooping Crane</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>My next mission was to find the limpkin reported at Sheldon Lake Reservoir, so I got up in time to make the hour's drive in time for sunrise. I was a few minutes late, but still got some pretty cloud pictures. I saw another birding couple and went to see what they knew. We ended up looking for the limpkin for about an hour, while I shared my favorite birding places with them. After about an hour, we found not one, but two limpkins sitting in trees. We moved around to try to get a view that wasn't directly into the sun. They sat around patiently for several minutes, before disappearing into the swamp to feed on invasive apple snails. We were joined by several other birders, including one that arrived after both birds had disappeared.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgz3tz8YbBjA40dAfnUNZ1aZtvYUoZfPQmNlBV1umbBrPqXTqaTWJrunzXvLHThB_GfOO3K813S6a6QLQ_Y7cGdV5CILN87GPUy3D6hl4vmWmC0NOs-eT-HfGsr4exhvjNzTaGvxWR2Me9zl52FAAZUcivKD1Rdm9fhYGVKc3i2nsIplDaflL2rZH8p=s4864" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="4864" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgz3tz8YbBjA40dAfnUNZ1aZtvYUoZfPQmNlBV1umbBrPqXTqaTWJrunzXvLHThB_GfOO3K813S6a6QLQ_Y7cGdV5CILN87GPUy3D6hl4vmWmC0NOs-eT-HfGsr4exhvjNzTaGvxWR2Me9zl52FAAZUcivKD1Rdm9fhYGVKc3i2nsIplDaflL2rZH8p=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sunrise was blocked by clouds leaving this view</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6ZJy8iRWaZ4rvM5tPdOG4r19cBPrHW6rYMfEwDriIF7JkrmueGqnekF9ABIPm-viP2CE2SeQ8vqifRyg8Hddvf8WkyUamp4PyNXI6vLZ02Rsar33cvdmLqCCIwSLXm4y9QYQhxI_DvyW6Ht4csXto6Jf_rbCuOl9yn45ADNYaN-lg7lWPRipyU-rF=s1648" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1339" data-original-width="1648" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6ZJy8iRWaZ4rvM5tPdOG4r19cBPrHW6rYMfEwDriIF7JkrmueGqnekF9ABIPm-viP2CE2SeQ8vqifRyg8Hddvf8WkyUamp4PyNXI6vLZ02Rsar33cvdmLqCCIwSLXm4y9QYQhxI_DvyW6Ht4csXto6Jf_rbCuOl9yn45ADNYaN-lg7lWPRipyU-rF=w640-h520" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The first limpkin flying off</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8WPayEB9DncDhsOjJ_4zgV6lH9FDGm4GA7ZE_7XtGU5JhVthZlttDIAbMzmfJqRCOoL1ytBKgEXTFMzk8AqrtFS5wCn-0xMpv2qHowCSVvcC5EOmodP8jX-IzvPUZjulxiUDPDPvUERx1OYOX7W26QEaHSSPPuupG6_7fdjA7IZ_ys0vYrZdlb00n=s1353" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="857" data-original-width="1353" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8WPayEB9DncDhsOjJ_4zgV6lH9FDGm4GA7ZE_7XtGU5JhVthZlttDIAbMzmfJqRCOoL1ytBKgEXTFMzk8AqrtFS5wCn-0xMpv2qHowCSVvcC5EOmodP8jX-IzvPUZjulxiUDPDPvUERx1OYOX7W26QEaHSSPPuupG6_7fdjA7IZ_ys0vYrZdlb00n=w640-h406" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">While the second finished up its toilet</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>By this time, I was hungry and done with birding, so I continued on to spend a couple of days with Natalie and cook a New Year's Eve dinner before driving back to work New Year's Day, </p><p>Happy New Year. Surely this will be the year COVID will become endemic. Be safe.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-66622730412938272422021-12-27T20:15:00.004-06:002021-12-27T20:15:50.456-06:00Tis the season...for Christmas Bird Counts<p> I have been consumed with birds the last few weeks. First I started going birding to remember some species I haven't seen for several years. Then I signed up to do four Christmas counts. Two of them were back to back and one a few days earlier. </p><p>The Galveston Count will be remembered as super foggy and bird sparse. I drove an hour and a half through thick fog to get there, only to stand around and wait for almost an hour, until we could see anything but the gulls and great tailed grackles.</p><p>Then, on the way to our first spot on East Jetty, both our leader and I got stuck in the sand, for another half hour delay. Then we could see shadows of birds but they weren't their usual colorful selves. We birded in the fog until about 11:00 AM. Then we REALLY noticed the lack of birds. We missed species that are found every count year. Many of the avian scientists and experts think we lost thousands of birds in the big freeze last year, and the extremely warm temperatures are causing birds to linger further north.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1d0T9iUcPKvaD7yuvcER7wISzN9zk0qOHe85jqaogEMzXqWLeDsOFXg8M0rFISzYZXc7Rib0-4QNs7mjQOZwkVd9e2w5sQ-Gv73YMyz1Rlcn7-f-hiYVSKezN_r3hPo2-tbZQa6hIQ9I3ZnR0mZnbnLgStkOqipsReFeLO-VA1QfoPWgssIZodlE7=s5472" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1d0T9iUcPKvaD7yuvcER7wISzN9zk0qOHe85jqaogEMzXqWLeDsOFXg8M0rFISzYZXc7Rib0-4QNs7mjQOZwkVd9e2w5sQ-Gv73YMyz1Rlcn7-f-hiYVSKezN_r3hPo2-tbZQa6hIQ9I3ZnR0mZnbnLgStkOqipsReFeLO-VA1QfoPWgssIZodlE7=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Even the gulls didn't want to fly in the fog</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDmrkfV9xQwaGKP_n-g1QqPNF_Tc3i_-7MYeQfqX_JJL_tiOrS2O1nisgatTygNxBxHpxqocL4QSvrXjhTOPAwxkq8DcTZhwXRCj9KH9Qll7yMPSA6T7AkaW8wuDjjPvp0-08_396pi_bxQbH2QvAiHvnOWMF2gPNmXz1_m1uOQNq5C6fg0FQ05FzH=w480-h640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This was a few hours into the count and we could see mergansers <br /><br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPkSdOC-3zGeSnKeOLg-6ZcAMHnoSxIQOl82DbssNefeE-ghdBSQ2_tRhDtg7qx8lhbkFAaWR3u39HltjQggDrFxtyVg8EYKchmgfd49zvlDoQ2wPsPu-YcdMKX_ny5qB1qUBrkJtaUWk-Xw80EYS1PCL5l0Ieg1WCl3zhQsxR92WiUsWwsU86cvRt=s3253" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="3253" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPkSdOC-3zGeSnKeOLg-6ZcAMHnoSxIQOl82DbssNefeE-ghdBSQ2_tRhDtg7qx8lhbkFAaWR3u39HltjQggDrFxtyVg8EYKchmgfd49zvlDoQ2wPsPu-YcdMKX_ny5qB1qUBrkJtaUWk-Xw80EYS1PCL5l0Ieg1WCl3zhQsxR92WiUsWwsU86cvRt=w640-h396" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sanderlings in the fog</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWjIlUHUDUKk3WSfcpnjRs8M0QHml_KTWEGP_C_vRgqom_g3rXOrZMKazexHTfoaMj7NUlNa483_RCY-zeVENfLBT2YwEo7bKyF8PbifLYly4z9ziMt1sC5gYsq2eTg5stkAhH2TddKOKAadNFTTBRwx85qkcdl7d4_FvJQxEO2rbH2Qd3iQ7r0xC0=s5472" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWjIlUHUDUKk3WSfcpnjRs8M0QHml_KTWEGP_C_vRgqom_g3rXOrZMKazexHTfoaMj7NUlNa483_RCY-zeVENfLBT2YwEo7bKyF8PbifLYly4z9ziMt1sC5gYsq2eTg5stkAhH2TddKOKAadNFTTBRwx85qkcdl7d4_FvJQxEO2rbH2Qd3iQ7r0xC0=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The same group of birds an hour later <br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Then came Brazos Bend Christmas count on a day with a 90% chance of rain. Fortunately the rain waited until almost noon. After the first soaking, our group of seven suddenly turned into a group of three: best friend, Natalie, Leader Bruce, a favorite partner in crazy adventures, and me. We ate lunch under a group shelter and kept hanging out until the rain settled down to just a light rain. Natalie left about 4:00P to feed her dogs. Bruce and I continued to look for birds until supper time. <div><br /></div><div>It appeared that only about a tenth of those who signed up for the supper showed up. We were urged to eat all the BBQ we could hold, then take home bags of leftovers. All the windows were open and the night rapidly got colder. Soon we were shivering in our wet clothes and couldn't wait for the species to be called so we could leave. The first count was 137 species, several species under the expected 150 or so. <div><br /></div><div>The next day was the Freeport Count of which Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge is a part. I was signed up to count birds on a part of the auto tour with one other lady. I soon found out why the Freeport count is always one of the top ten in the nation. We were divided into pairs and given a very small area to cover. I lucked out in getting a young woman as my partner. She was a fabulous spotter and took pictures of every bird or group of birds we saw. We started off on an exciting note - we got a low flyover of thousands of birds. Most were laughing gulls. Emily took picture after picture of them and reported back that there were two ring-billed gulls in her pictures. Other flyovers included ibis, duck species, sandhill cranes and snow geese, all seen in black and white against a grayail sky. We sat for at least 30 minutes feet away from our starting point, till the sky finally emptied of birds. We didn't find a lot of expected birds or large numbers, except for flyover birds, and sleeping black crowned night herons. The best birds of the day were a Virginia Rail that Emily saw and photographed in the two seconds it was in sight, and the bird I begged for and got in the last bit of time we had - a white-tailed kite. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQ6MabAVDm4tvztwayQA_9QOaLzuKRveeJTSWSVniKCtzSf4buCxkpdDre_CWitQdpOu5B3KwdJV59xAROQmvjPzySAo25gUq5htKv0orAMDYDT4mL-oEDuct5_3YfXQq-oQZpwWDFVVE093E71mEK_4clritehcwkBdq_ByV8UwngDKv2q0-_c-N4=s4307" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2365" data-original-width="4307" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQ6MabAVDm4tvztwayQA_9QOaLzuKRveeJTSWSVniKCtzSf4buCxkpdDre_CWitQdpOu5B3KwdJV59xAROQmvjPzySAo25gUq5htKv0orAMDYDT4mL-oEDuct5_3YfXQq-oQZpwWDFVVE093E71mEK_4clritehcwkBdq_ByV8UwngDKv2q0-_c-N4=w640-h352" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Greater White Fronted Geese </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYelEBTLJAutYt806W6-9E0_cFnyqslyZzdeZXRODdaoEbKy9qMZJ2FKPcxkIfPFwKGwCN-K7wCXoRm5w9cLZmOmVR1EZ2kVm-MHISZP5RTgpDj3NKZ_VIm8oZTMEKgJR4yKEcaV1nfNqdqTUCOEPp_szx5SdWgrHoJjw-XD77pXbqPQ62xxa-EgJ_=s3115" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2342" data-original-width="3115" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYelEBTLJAutYt806W6-9E0_cFnyqslyZzdeZXRODdaoEbKy9qMZJ2FKPcxkIfPFwKGwCN-K7wCXoRm5w9cLZmOmVR1EZ2kVm-MHISZP5RTgpDj3NKZ_VIm8oZTMEKgJR4yKEcaV1nfNqdqTUCOEPp_szx5SdWgrHoJjw-XD77pXbqPQ62xxa-EgJ_=w640-h482" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Virginia Rail</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo by Emily Neale)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqTRtKH2o2Ib5AXCHkccfMFmH7wv2b2AlpQ7ecHu2O4affU1SrquptfOjt-pQlJitzoMd1ivp6SOW4fMIRroPMwMAXR_eO4m_vIoMYBuAgzlXLo92JZvQCHlQcphqZbR9YwEQYHrC6Vr68tbIwIIREp6CqusFpLrwo3U0LKyeEAAWK3DOhbUcgJbYw=s4043" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3047" data-original-width="4043" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqTRtKH2o2Ib5AXCHkccfMFmH7wv2b2AlpQ7ecHu2O4affU1SrquptfOjt-pQlJitzoMd1ivp6SOW4fMIRroPMwMAXR_eO4m_vIoMYBuAgzlXLo92JZvQCHlQcphqZbR9YwEQYHrC6Vr68tbIwIIREp6CqusFpLrwo3U0LKyeEAAWK3DOhbUcgJbYw=w640-h482" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Snow geese flyover the following day in beautiful light</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>I went to the supper at the Wurst House in Lake Jackson. I enjoyed the German Food and was excited to find Victor Emmanuel was there. He started the count when he was sixteen years old and apparently has helped with it ever since. I have met many of the people who run his tours and he showed me my first bobolink when I encountered him at a birding site in Pennsylvania, giving a couple a private tour. He talked to me because I was wearing my Anahuac rail shirt. And my friends and I had a wonderful <a href="http://mkircus2.blogspot.com/2015/04/looking-for-rarities-at-king-ranch.html?m=1" target="_blank">tour of King Ranch</a> with his Nature Tours people. </div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Holidays and hoping you all have a great next year.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-44476456099785685702021-12-05T21:13:00.004-06:002021-12-27T20:19:41.641-06:00A Visit to Sheldon Lake State Park<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Belc7kgX5AU/Ya2AUAWrGwI/AAAAAAAIwbw/o3F-9_Pq1FQGC-mqWU8QgswN-tuytF13QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC04690.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Belc7kgX5AU/Ya2AUAWrGwI/AAAAAAAIwbw/o3F-9_Pq1FQGC-mqWU8QgswN-tuytF13QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC04690.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sunrise on Sheldon Lake</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Last Wednesday, a friend invited me to lunch. I couldn't stand to not spend some time outdoors. She hadn't quite decided on the time and place, so I texted her that I just needed an address and a time to meet her before I set off on about a thirty minute drive to a very urban state park. It is located just minutes out of Houston proper and was originally built to provide water for the war effort. It has become a very valuable wild place in a mostly concrete area. It also was once a fish hatchery and still has ponds that are going wild. It provides important environmental education to school children as well as to aspiring master naturalists and the general public. </p><p>I have fond memories of taking my inner city Outdoor Club there for a day of birding, fishing, and a cookout lunch of hot dogs and S'mores. I had only been able to raise enough money for half the binoculars I needed and the kids had to pair up to look at birds. I had to slow the volunteer from the Environmental Center way down as the kids were entranced by every bird, even the most common. We brought our own worms and the Park staff provided fishing gear. The pond had just been stocked, and the kids caught fish the size of their smiles.</p><p>This day, I started at the fishing parking lot, on the north side of the lake, squeaking in just in time to catch the last minute of sunrise through cypress trees standing in shallow water. Then the glowing cypress trees caught my attention, and I spent several minutes trying to capture their awesomeness.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnlLJlEzHdg/Ya2B83oIiUI/AAAAAAAIwcQ/1bCYJk8dE78DKoCvZWsSnP72Q8kou_1NQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC04692.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnlLJlEzHdg/Ya2B83oIiUI/AAAAAAAIwcQ/1bCYJk8dE78DKoCvZWsSnP72Q8kou_1NQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC04692.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cypress at sunrise</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GACTSoolwiQ/Ya2AUEpNEKI/AAAAAAAIwb0/YDC4SFAZc54u8OXTIUkbJtjL1BCe68B9gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC04711.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GACTSoolwiQ/Ya2AUEpNEKI/AAAAAAAIwb0/YDC4SFAZc54u8OXTIUkbJtjL1BCe68B9gCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC04711.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The sun on the trunks caught my eye</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>A few minutes later, I was trying to figure how to detour around closed roads to get to the south side of the reservoir where I wanted to walk the bank fishing trail. A few minutes after that, I was back on track and approaching the boat launch parking lot. The light was still beautiful on the trees in the lake. A pair of fishermen were the only other people around here, although there were at least a dozen vehicles at the north end. I walked the fishing path, stopping to frame pictures at each opening. I got down to the fishing pier and stopped to enjoy the views and to look for wildlife. </div><div><br /></div><div>I noticed a swirling cloud of birds, looking like gulls. But when I put my camera on them, I found they were a huge gulp of double crested cormorants. (<i>I had to look up the name for a congregation of cormorants. Isn't it appropriate?) </i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0-NSe21yrkU/Ya1hZV9p5XI/AAAAAAAIwYo/O0wm2j9tRZ0LE_BBJY-tSaIND5ab7yhXQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC04731.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="2048" height="366" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0-NSe21yrkU/Ya1hZV9p5XI/AAAAAAAIwYo/O0wm2j9tRZ0LE_BBJY-tSaIND5ab7yhXQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h366/DSC04731.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A small part of the gulp of cormorants</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rS6xgv3fb7s/Ya1hZtHMgeI/AAAAAAAIwYs/w2boLF16VB0vR7aFX1bzQjUzD9xUXCSzQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC04732.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="2048" height="374" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rS6xgv3fb7s/Ya1hZtHMgeI/AAAAAAAIwYs/w2boLF16VB0vR7aFX1bzQjUzD9xUXCSzQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h374/DSC04732.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The gulp landing</span><br /> </td></tr></tbody></table>Then they swirled down to land on the west side of the lake and began swimming towards me, then around me. Mesmerized, I just kept snapping pictures. I picked out ones with the most action to share. It seemed the back birds would leapfrog through the air to land back in the water in front of the pack, only to have the last line of birds repeat this action. Two more small gulps flew in and joined in the fun.</div><div><br /></div><div> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DqgoUPMeLLA/Ya1hafI_uJI/AAAAAAAIwYw/yf_upA0h-yE5-wP5ZgTVYfnoEhB9fKhUQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC04761.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="2048" height="340" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DqgoUPMeLLA/Ya1hafI_uJI/AAAAAAAIwYw/yf_upA0h-yE5-wP5ZgTVYfnoEhB9fKhUQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h340/DSC04761.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The birds came close to the pier<br /></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wb4FwbsmmrI/Ya1hcHuI--I/AAAAAAAIwY4/3p1ii9qyA2olMmzF0SPyaT3wCj2iXpF5gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC04809.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wb4FwbsmmrI/Ya1hcHuI--I/AAAAAAAIwY4/3p1ii9qyA2olMmzF0SPyaT3wCj2iXpF5gCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC04809.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">They were still leapfrogging, as they passed the pier, then began flying away. The splashes <br />are from their little runs to get in the air.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rRuSu-Z3IT0/Ya1xy8WMFcI/AAAAAAAIwa4/ufllcj52WlEWH3SqQ9TWdNC-SdfhZEUCgCPcBGAsYHg/s5472/DSC04830.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rRuSu-Z3IT0/Ya1xy8WMFcI/AAAAAAAIwa4/ufllcj52WlEWH3SqQ9TWdNC-SdfhZEUCgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC04830.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">They became a column of birds circling back to their start and disappearing into the sky</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZiEc3yy5Pk/Ya1hb2cDquI/AAAAAAAIwY0/KkBpKhZhQlo6Of4-MQPKp2l-Xs3C4bDSQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC04833.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZiEc3yy5Pk/Ya1hb2cDquI/AAAAAAAIwY0/KkBpKhZhQlo6Of4-MQPKp2l-Xs3C4bDSQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC04833.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Finally there was only one</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yU7iIgcKCpk/Ya1he61-VAI/AAAAAAAIwZI/jOl8viDmwvc6T572h4RktJaxsvDYfRNXQCNcBGAsYHQ/s5472/DSC04835.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yU7iIgcKCpk/Ya1he61-VAI/AAAAAAAIwZI/jOl8viDmwvc6T572h4RktJaxsvDYfRNXQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC04835.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I was happy to see something was eating the invasive apple snails -mabe the limpkin?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8yekC0-kZVo/Ya1hdcRhk2I/AAAAAAAIwY8/tbhqSbxfADwd9rDhNx2ERyogJlvvMLfTQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC04857.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1346" data-original-width="2048" height="420" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8yekC0-kZVo/Ya1hdcRhk2I/AAAAAAAIwY8/tbhqSbxfADwd9rDhNx2ERyogJlvvMLfTQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h420/DSC04857.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A great egret flew in as I passed this tree</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Another few minutes of driving got me to the entrance to the main visitor area. Again I had to stop as flying V after flying V came over the horizon. Again I found each was a gulp of cormorants, There were at least ten gulps of them.</div><div><br /></div><div>I took a stroll through the prairie to look for the pothole I had helped plant after staff located it in the old rice field by doing soil samples, then evacuating foreign soil. But I couldn't find it, and think the entire prairie is being taken back to a wet prairie and perhaps has engulfed it. </div><div><br /></div><div>The rest of the time, I wandered the wooded trails between the ponds, finding few birds, but a few lovely pictures. Enjoy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u15l8Q2frhI/Ya1hfRIm48I/AAAAAAAIwZM/-ceg06Kc2NAtEzGsQAs9S42MJS02PM9pACNcBGAsYHQ/s1819/DSC04882.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1819" height="458" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u15l8Q2frhI/Ya1hfRIm48I/AAAAAAAIwZM/-ceg06Kc2NAtEzGsQAs9S42MJS02PM9pACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h458/DSC04882.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lincoln sparrow</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iKX0I_YRXqE/Ya1hiNLz9pI/AAAAAAAIwZQ/tXB4-87P5IUMJhvGr2bhpqW4r4xK3n6-QCNcBGAsYHQ/s5472/DSC04906.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iKX0I_YRXqE/Ya1hiNLz9pI/AAAAAAAIwZQ/tXB4-87P5IUMJhvGr2bhpqW4r4xK3n6-QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC04906.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">What passes for fall color in Texas</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QVSXVUGXIdg/Ya1hjGHtlsI/AAAAAAAIwZY/6DADyBlOUiYvZ5HkSCk903OQ0dM-yZtyQCNcBGAsYHQ/s5472/DSC04908.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QVSXVUGXIdg/Ya1hjGHtlsI/AAAAAAAIwZY/6DADyBlOUiYvZ5HkSCk903OQ0dM-yZtyQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC04908.JPG" width="640" /></a>atu</td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Nature's painting</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xbKShZM0Wz8/Ya1hjEa_A5I/AAAAAAAIwZU/PpU05y0xGXo0yHBIaFJurh_51T3HYRChQCNcBGAsYHQ/s5472/DSC04913.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xbKShZM0Wz8/Ya1hjEa_A5I/AAAAAAAIwZU/PpU05y0xGXo0yHBIaFJurh_51T3HYRChQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC04913.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A rare oak whose leaves have fall color</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4UKTEB38bmE/Ya1hlAVaSBI/AAAAAAAIwZk/d7rG-jTsAv8CKEPVKzqC0w6fzp98l3bZACNcBGAsYHQ/s5472/DSC04921.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4UKTEB38bmE/Ya1hlAVaSBI/AAAAAAAIwZk/d7rG-jTsAv8CKEPVKzqC0w6fzp98l3bZACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC04921.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My favorite picture of a closeup of cypress needles</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2jOzVV8VtCU/Ya17G--jksI/AAAAAAAIwbg/Gacmmcxjg1McAXK6kooGFB9V2X5zYEp_QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSC04940.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="2048" height="422" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2jOzVV8VtCU/Ya17G--jksI/AAAAAAAIwbg/Gacmmcxjg1McAXK6kooGFB9V2X5zYEp_QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h422/DSC04940.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">When all you need is one leaf to show all the colors of fall</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />My friend texted me to come meet her, so I started back, only to discover that tower was open. I raced up five flights of stairs to grab a picture in the now unforgiving light. (<i>I still have all those extra red blood cells I need to work in Colorado at 7500 feet.) </i>Then I had a wonderful time and lunch with my friend and another mutual friend who stopped by to visit me in Colorado, changing from a virtual to a real friend.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXSrhTYDVeA/Ya15EzlzM0I/AAAAAAAIwbU/TPqw5aC2txciElfS_p0daH2KzSBf00-bwCNcBGAsYHQ/s5472/DSC04948.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXSrhTYDVeA/Ya15EzlzM0I/AAAAAAAIwbU/TPqw5aC2txciElfS_p0daH2KzSBf00-bwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC04948.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tower....</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a4JZU-rJK8A/Ya1hmzbOnhI/AAAAAAAIwZs/EGSjHeA_874YOqZNt-RDQYeVvhBgwgd-gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2744/DSC04952.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="2744" height="268" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a4JZU-rJK8A/Ya1hmzbOnhI/AAAAAAAIwZs/EGSjHeA_874YOqZNt-RDQYeVvhBgwgd-gCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h268/DSC04952.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Gives you a view of a good part of Sheldon Lake</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com2Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center, 14140 Garrett Rd, Houston, TX 77044, USA29.857767499999991 -95.16022881.5475336638211452 -130.3164788 58.168001336178833 -60.0039788tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-72291442851586464132021-11-21T12:02:00.000-06:002021-11-21T12:02:42.570-06:00Paddle on Champion Lake<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wanted to go paddling, and since my right arm is still not up to my old paddling standards, I asked Natalie to take me in the bow of her canoe. I also reminded her that she needed a set of cypress tree pictures showing fall color. Natalie decided to go to Champions Lake, which is really swampy lake full of cypress. I told another friend, who told two more, and on November 11, Natalie and I arrived at the boat launch to find three friends waiting on us and a fast moving storm just arriving. We all ran to the covered open area at the front of the restrooms and did a little catching up with each other. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HePowyuaPC8/YZmLVwa-pvI/AAAAAAAIwUY/G9kIKrU0Bekri8jk-FL1Gf0m_3MoLZL6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1792/fullsizeoutput_3e70.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="828" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HePowyuaPC8/YZmLVwa-pvI/AAAAAAAIwUY/G9kIKrU0Bekri8jk-FL1Gf0m_3MoLZL6wCLcBGAsYHQ/w296-h640/fullsizeoutput_3e70.jpeg" width="296" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The blue dot is the boat launch</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-81IcKS4RTtQ/YZmJ4Doi62I/AAAAAAAIwTQ/pGpzZSCqnfQNcPlSHowhm_8l7DhZxs8KwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/VpF0ffOrRj%252BG%2525kGcmlATMQ.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-81IcKS4RTtQ/YZmJ4Doi62I/AAAAAAAIwTQ/pGpzZSCqnfQNcPlSHowhm_8l7DhZxs8KwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/VpF0ffOrRj%252BG%2525kGcmlATMQ.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Waiting out the storm</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Champions Lake is now part of Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge. Natalie printed out the duck hunting map. I always paddled it without a map. I just go up obvious trails, then either bushwack to the next trail or just go back to the open area. <br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqLaRu7683A/YZmahRhdkeI/AAAAAAAIwUo/PuFzrnFhBJwwWoDXwQ8aQ1v5Z8iuzQt7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1498/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-20%2Bat%2B6.52.25%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="1498" height="520" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cqLaRu7683A/YZmahRhdkeI/AAAAAAAIwUo/PuFzrnFhBJwwWoDXwQ8aQ1v5Z8iuzQt7ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h520/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-11-20%2Bat%2B6.52.25%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The on-line map for duck hunters</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsQUsWNN3-U/YZmJ7uj0N9I/AAAAAAAIwT0/m8NXDfNO7vAKTZT42_FSDQwmbBxGXq9-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_3e08.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1456" data-original-width="2048" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsQUsWNN3-U/YZmJ7uj0N9I/AAAAAAAIwT0/m8NXDfNO7vAKTZT42_FSDQwmbBxGXq9-QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h456/fullsizeoutput_3e08.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cypress trees draped in Spanish moss<br /></span><br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-igAWoNwMLD4/YZmJ40TYszI/AAAAAAAIwTY/i5KLKL9fqsI893lEJELtncaEvso5bGKiACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_3dae.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="2048" height="394" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-igAWoNwMLD4/YZmJ40TYszI/AAAAAAAIwTY/i5KLKL9fqsI893lEJELtncaEvso5bGKiACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h394/fullsizeoutput_3dae.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The three kayakers, enjoying the view</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qtC-T6qBJck/YZmJ3__0V_I/AAAAAAAIwTM/30HNgFk0Y_4F9051hvouHPTAlf3Q1hOUACLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/DSC03576.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qtC-T6qBJck/YZmJ3__0V_I/AAAAAAAIwTM/30HNgFk0Y_4F9051hvouHPTAlf3Q1hOUACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC03576.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">There are many little open areas, as well as thick forests and streams within the lake</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hJG-1sL2ZwM/YZmJ6mFteAI/AAAAAAAIwTo/b7bVMsfM6Qc9WcpyTm5ZhV6E0cX-fy7QACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_3dfa.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hJG-1sL2ZwM/YZmJ6mFteAI/AAAAAAAIwTo/b7bVMsfM6Qc9WcpyTm5ZhV6E0cX-fy7QACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/fullsizeoutput_3dfa.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Spanish moss glowed silver under the lightening sky</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We loved the dark and somewhat mysterious views of the cypress forest, but soon saw the sky getting blue patches and then turning a bright blue. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LSX2hojZi14/YZmJ2mLrI8I/AAAAAAAIwTA/f7UZvJMtflAkn9UCOcRztPt3P4O106dSACLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/DSC03477.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LSX2hojZi14/YZmJ2mLrI8I/AAAAAAAIwTA/f7UZvJMtflAkn9UCOcRztPt3P4O106dSACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC03477.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We found a lot of black vultures drying their feathers after the storm ...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rkeKzyTBQpU/YZmJ6eKDwQI/AAAAAAAIwTk/ghaTG_oKXJMq4bflpCq0xZMPcVJtdFdWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_3dfd.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1524" data-original-width="2048" height="476" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rkeKzyTBQpU/YZmJ6eKDwQI/AAAAAAAIwTk/ghaTG_oKXJMq4bflpCq0xZMPcVJtdFdWQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h476/fullsizeoutput_3dfd.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">... As well as many anhingas</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_tlxaCQaMOo/YZmJ2wXzjLI/AAAAAAAIwTE/wz1rOvETiHQ4sSKfK4y8oZ9ZNbFR68SRACLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/DSC03510.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_tlxaCQaMOo/YZmJ2wXzjLI/AAAAAAAIwTE/wz1rOvETiHQ4sSKfK4y8oZ9ZNbFR68SRACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC03510.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Milling about, looking for trail numbers</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WnXp09j5qTE/YZmi8kDHWxI/AAAAAAAIwU0/unMRg2iMG98tAgQTYjzyHkLb637T2bfAACLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/DSC03533.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WnXp09j5qTE/YZmi8kDHWxI/AAAAAAAIwU0/unMRg2iMG98tAgQTYjzyHkLb637T2bfAACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC03533.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tracy got us on it</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />After all that strenuous looking and picture taking, plus paddling a little over two miles, we stopped for lunch in our boats. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5cRRSYznw4/YZmi8DVatpI/AAAAAAAIwUw/A7KC9ZJLg8EuGajiwMyG_oQBnFc9ezlmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_3e98.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1433" data-original-width="2048" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5cRRSYznw4/YZmi8DVatpI/AAAAAAAIwUw/A7KC9ZJLg8EuGajiwMyG_oQBnFc9ezlmwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h448/fullsizeoutput_3e98.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Natalie getting her serving of tuna salad and spoon. She eventually got her crackers</span><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_cQ5EGqSy8/YZmJ33Gfb2I/AAAAAAAIwTI/ThtrSl3WOI8txCdOAnbQotW8sgxPF6jpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2451.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_cQ5EGqSy8/YZmJ33Gfb2I/AAAAAAAIwTI/ThtrSl3WOI8txCdOAnbQotW8sgxPF6jpwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_2451.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: start;">I got distracted by the reflections while turning back around after lunch. Picture by Natalie</div></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NWRzCxwt8kc/YZmJ6uccTTI/AAAAAAAIwTs/Cy9SVkDh0Po1Tw5GraD-R1AMCBg-DoQ5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_3e03.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1420" data-original-width="2048" height="444" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NWRzCxwt8kc/YZmJ6uccTTI/AAAAAAAIwTs/Cy9SVkDh0Po1Tw5GraD-R1AMCBg-DoQ5ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h444/fullsizeoutput_3e03.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great blue heron drumsticks<br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WbBjN3hVCdA/YZmJ7vMSGhI/AAAAAAAIwT4/Dd1dmoU1LRQvXAOAZhD4lW_JVjeikIuzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_3e15.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1320" data-original-width="2048" height="412" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WbBjN3hVCdA/YZmJ7vMSGhI/AAAAAAAIwT4/Dd1dmoU1LRQvXAOAZhD4lW_JVjeikIuzgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h412/fullsizeoutput_3e15.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tree full of white ibis<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My shoulder, although recovering from overusing my scuffle hoe on weeds around the Discovery Center - part of my duties at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, did fine until we hit a patch of water hyacinth, mixed with alligator weed and duckweed. I'm still icing it down. </div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qajPhUa3C8/YZmJ4ZtKAyI/AAAAAAAIwTU/GJOKzCpF9UsG5EPVx-kxAOmZgU3_pk-mgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_3da3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1301" data-original-width="2048" height="406" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qajPhUa3C8/YZmJ4ZtKAyI/AAAAAAAIwTU/GJOKzCpF9UsG5EPVx-kxAOmZgU3_pk-mgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h406/fullsizeoutput_3da3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nasty mix of water hyacinth, alligator weed, and duck weed made paddling ten times harder</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After about a quarter of a mile of slogging through invasives,we had another short, easy stretch back to the landing. Everyone but me helped each other load their boats. Natalie and I killed another hour or so walking down to the dam. We had to continually stop for butterflies, caterpillars, birds, a young buck and </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">the only alligator we had seen all day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9RDxJMAJQg/YZqINsITxbI/AAAAAAAIwVI/_p1ZN8VVMz8uqYOqjqOWEunuJFuKDjdmACLcBGAsYHQ/s5472/DSC03643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9RDxJMAJQg/YZqINsITxbI/AAAAAAAIwVI/_p1ZN8VVMz8uqYOqjqOWEunuJFuKDjdmACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC03643.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The requisite 'gator picture</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This paddle was a record for me - the slowest and shortest paddle I've ever done. It was three and a half miles of paddling. The paddle, including lunch, took four hours. I took about 300 pictures and then had to hold the canoe for Natalie to take hers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I have written about Champion Lake before. Check out this link if you want to see more of this gem of a lake. </span><a href="https://mkircus2.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-birdy-paddle-on-champion-lake.html?m=0" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">A Birdy Paddle on Champion Lake</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Please leave your questions or comments below. I love to hear from you. </div><div><br /></div></div>Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-90300673206540982282021-11-15T21:49:00.011-06:002022-01-11T21:33:42.141-06:00I'm Volunteering Again at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge <div class="separator">Twenty twenty was hard for me because I couldn't work and didn't have a home. So I bought Dora the van and am converting it. (More later.). This year I got my 2019 volunteer job back at Monta Vista and Alamosa National Wildlife Refuges. There I hauled off recyclables for the first week - no one seemed to have done it in 2020, and then kept up with taking them over to Alamosa recycling as needed. I also took back over keeping the vault toilets clean and stocked. I got a new assignment - to take down three miles of barb wire fencing, some three wire and part four wire. My boss also wanted me to pull the T-posts with a hand jack. I quickly found out that I could pull one in five and could get knocked down if the chain didn't stay attached. So I gave that part of the job back and just cut the wire, pulled it off the posts, rolled it up, and hauled it to the wire pile. My boss replaced me with two guys and a tractor to get the posts pulled - best fail ever. </div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator">But soon it was time to spray our invasives, and I spent about 35 hours a week on spraying filling up my tank with the herbicide and adjuvant and water and heading off to spray. Then I emptied the tank and repeated. For the first part the year, I got the little spray system of a 50 gallon tank on a utility vehicle with a spray wand. But when the summer maintence guy had to move into a full maintenance position, he no longer had time to spray so I took over his 100 gallon rig that had both a boom and a hand sprayer and upped my war from using 150 gallons on a good day to often spraying 400 gallons a day. I ended the summer with having treated 510 acres and working 898 hours. (Actually I listened to at least three books a week, while enjoying the outdoors.) And I still have two miles of fence to take down and half the refuge to spray. That ought to give me job security. </div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fe5nuDGVKHs/YZMTRQ1HQ7I/AAAAAAAIwRM/2ewYIBKShoAeXYGZz97HXo63WIRVm48xQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5751.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fe5nuDGVKHs/YZMTRQ1HQ7I/AAAAAAAIwRM/2ewYIBKShoAeXYGZz97HXo63WIRVm48xQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_5751.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I had to get off the rig to spray the sides of a dry canaland stopped to take a selfie - <br />this was the coldest day - first time I wore a jacket all day while spraying</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator">I lucked out and got a winter job only an hour away from my best friend's house in Houston, where I stay when I'm not working. Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge is one of the Coastal Refuges and serves as winter refuge for shorebirds,wading birds, and ducks. It also has a huge program to help monarchs numbers increase and another program raising American beauty caterpillars to give to teachers so the class can see them pupate and then become adults, before they release them. I'm still learning about all this. More later. </div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator">I'm living in my van, but have cooking, washing, and showering privileges. I worked to get a comfortable set up in the van and got everything packed except my clothes for the day. I got up the morning I would report for work, and put on my bra, then realized my underpants were missing. So were my socks. Upon further inspection, I found I had acquired two balls. That meant that Willie, Natalie's golden retriever, had "traded" one ball for my underpants, and another for the socks. This is first dog I've met who is both moral and understands a one to one relationship. I did finally find my clothes and got myself ready and started out. </div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZzeioXUyWE/YZMTRaUIVcI/AAAAAAAIwRQ/tfTw-eN7WJgcBGhM7W4CQCPI40u02pndwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/cz7gWiTASviWaZT73KMiNw.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZzeioXUyWE/YZMTRaUIVcI/AAAAAAAIwRQ/tfTw-eN7WJgcBGhM7W4CQCPI40u02pndwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/cz7gWiTASviWaZT73KMiNw.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Willie's trades</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator">I came over a hill, aka overpass, and saw a beautiful little sunrise. My next turn was at base of the overpass, and I was able to find a good place to stop and get a picture - only took two U-turns. </div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tzXaoBEZ3Ow/YZMnRbuJp8I/AAAAAAAIwR8/7a3FcBOvDuAUqv9uXm-4gApfgL0PDaDQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2592/fullsizeoutput_3ce0.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="2592" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tzXaoBEZ3Ow/YZMnRbuJp8I/AAAAAAAIwR8/7a3FcBOvDuAUqv9uXm-4gApfgL0PDaDQwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h300/fullsizeoutput_3ce0.heic" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sunrise on the way to check in to my winter volunteer job</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator">Not long after, I was turning to go under the high bridge over Bastrop Bayou. A few hundred yards later, I was at the Volunteer Village, meeting Stan and his dog, Oreo, who immediately offered to become my new best friend. Stan has worked here for six years, with little time off, raising thousands of milkweeds and butterflies. He and his wife were the only ones here during COVID and he still works fifty or more hours a week. He was hard at work, bumping up milkweed he had started from seed, from four inch pots to gallon containers. Within ten minutes of arriving, I had taken over that job, and he moved on to clear the garden the volunteers grow crops in. </div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2OET9Qkt3nw/YZMRX6NJd6I/AAAAAAAIwQk/eJsNGg_CXuISoKn8a9Gis60guVvZbNWXACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/VExhIx7GSOqbGvJ8wTMe1Q.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2OET9Qkt3nw/YZMRX6NJd6I/AAAAAAAIwQk/eJsNGg_CXuISoKn8a9Gis60guVvZbNWXACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/VExhIx7GSOqbGvJ8wTMe1Q.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My first view of Stan - after bailing out of Dora</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F3tzR43IJqI/YZMRZL5ns3I/AAAAAAAIwQ0/-KcWz-4_d0AM8MjF6f6_gobYTo4wkgySwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fzxOl2EzTc2vPD7D%252Bnd3Hg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F3tzR43IJqI/YZMRZL5ns3I/AAAAAAAIwQ0/-KcWz-4_d0AM8MjF6f6_gobYTo4wkgySwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/fzxOl2EzTc2vPD7D%252Bnd3Hg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dora in my yard</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oCnFGkswEBA/YZMWZkgkriI/AAAAAAAIwRc/A0pgNB03ed4XZe5twx9QcYzhmoHua6SDgCLcBGAsYHQ/w360-h640/IMG_6214.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="360" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then I started my work here - bathroom, kitchen, <br />butterfly lab and plant nursery</td></tr></tbody></table> <div class="separator"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ca0LjqBxxbs/YZMRYfJWi8I/AAAAAAAIwQw/YPRaMDf7YjEgwudtTYgAIClCMWjJYNtJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_3cd1.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ca0LjqBxxbs/YZMRYfJWi8I/AAAAAAAIwQw/YPRaMDf7YjEgwudtTYgAIClCMWjJYNtJQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/fullsizeoutput_3cd1.heic" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Butterflies in their habitats - little net cubes</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dIKyVoVUNlI/YZMRYS8oZjI/AAAAAAAIwQs/TUrXBBJKIV48Kavhhpp83RZq6A7FuM_RwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_3d17.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1361" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dIKyVoVUNlI/YZMRYS8oZjI/AAAAAAAIwQs/TUrXBBJKIV48Kavhhpp83RZq6A7FuM_RwCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/fullsizeoutput_3d17.heic" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My new best friend, Oreo</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator">Since then, I've learned the routines for managing the Discovery Center, helped deep clean it after being closed for eighteen months, helped weed the gardens around the Center, and planted cuttings of milkweed. Last Saturday, I got to go to an Open House, at our sister refuge, San Bernard NWR. I'll post about that later - pictures are on my Facebook page. </div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator">I'm looking forward to the rest of my winter assignment. One of the best parts is getting to visit with friends. So far I've had a pair of friends visit me and take me out for supper. And I got to go paddling with four women friends on a beautiful, swampy lake. This week, I'll get to go to the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Botanic Garden with friends. </div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator">And I'm looking forward to visiting with you, dear readers. Please leave me a comment or question below. How and what are you doing, as we get back into the world? There is a free campground/fishing/crabbing spot across the road from me. So bring your rig and come visit.</div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator">. </div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><br />Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-75549844881075656792020-05-31T11:24:00.001-05:002020-06-02T16:31:33.064-05:00Big Sur Outting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>May 24, 2020</i></span><br />
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Last Sunday Cindy and I left the house early and took about a two hour drive to and then up highway 101 to Pfeiffer Beach. We had heard that it was open, but the parking lot was closed, so we joined another few score of cars parked off the road. (The day use area opened by the time we were finished exploring the beach and charging $10. So the the couple of hundred extra yards we walked, looked pretty good)<br />
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Almost immediately after starting our walk to the beach, Cindy spotted a band-tailed pigeon, then another one. We spotted four in the same area, all pretty far away and not showing their banded tails. We enjoyed more birds in the mixture of trees along the road and the creek as we walked down to a tail to the beach. Both of us got involved in landscapes and little plants and flowers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7srYnJ1i6-I/XtCFC3d45AI/AAAAAAAIORo/pKOUOxd5MOozOvdX14X3To4tVJR79UIMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7srYnJ1i6-I/XtCFC3d45AI/AAAAAAAIORo/pKOUOxd5MOozOvdX14X3To4tVJR79UIMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC02246.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Distant band-tailed pidgon</td></tr>
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Soon I lost Cindy as I went straight to the overlook and she kept to the main trail to the beach while I investigated little trails that had interesting flowers on them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Narrow leaved clover (Trifolium angustifolium)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the beach from the cliff we were exploring</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flower of the day was some variety of Indian Paintbrush</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hiNVB17JRFg/XtCFFcG9LzI/AAAAAAAIOR8/6VF0S3weBJsQdFAe1vRuqU1mJJV_N86uQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hiNVB17JRFg/XtCFFcG9LzI/AAAAAAAIOR8/6VF0S3weBJsQdFAe1vRuqU1mJJV_N86uQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC02268.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rattlesnake Grasses</td></tr>
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Finally I made a determined effort to get to the main trail that led from the day use area to the beach. The trail led down to an overlook, then did a sharp left turn and descended to several landings of stairs, before finally reaching the beach. I spotted Cindy from the landing, finding lots to photograph so I rushed to join her. We were soon both enchanted with the shelled animals attached to the rocks.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rocks were providing nesting sites for cliff sparrows</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cindy enjoying the incoming tide</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I would have liked to explored this cave but the cold water was too deep </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the most interesting part of the beach - many of the rocks held various shellfish species</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rhz7XbtjFno/XtCFKWd8WKI/AAAAAAAIOSY/EQt0jJQ7Rq019CXGrX5A-J9GHeis9pmkACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rhz7XbtjFno/XtCFKWd8WKI/AAAAAAAIOSY/EQt0jJQ7Rq019CXGrX5A-J9GHeis9pmkACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC02310.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Tegula (Tegula funebralis)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4mJ1bvGTS6A/XtCFKoGsPXI/AAAAAAAIOSc/vje10MQ2tvkhRVCueR2pKFhCQ5s9li2UACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4mJ1bvGTS6A/XtCFKoGsPXI/AAAAAAAIOSc/vje10MQ2tvkhRVCueR2pKFhCQ5s9li2UACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC02315.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California mussel (Mytilus californianus)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0J5AgLrT9cc/XtCFKz9i-gI/AAAAAAAIOSg/HokKdO-5zBk6QfSrw1nIuhlouIadO74EgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0J5AgLrT9cc/XtCFKz9i-gI/AAAAAAAIOSg/HokKdO-5zBk6QfSrw1nIuhlouIadO74EgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC02319.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Think these are barnacles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipCl27P-L70/XtPcZ2WW2gI/AAAAAAAIWiY/_UYpiR955t81gneMdrHsR5G41QQ6YoO2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipCl27P-L70/XtPcZ2WW2gI/AAAAAAAIWiY/_UYpiR955t81gneMdrHsR5G41QQ6YoO2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0874.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only guy breaking with required mask wearing and social distancing - that is my food box in the corner of the picture</td></tr>
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After lunch we drove up a super steep, curving, narrow road which leads to Hunter Liggett Army Base, then came home down Hwy 101. It all made for a great adventure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9_ne14xJJ4/XtCFMcA-DRI/AAAAAAAIOSs/YqEt3TTfKN87bHTWypkIk3AEu5a1MIwNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9_ne14xJJ4/XtCFMcA-DRI/AAAAAAAIOSs/YqEt3TTfKN87bHTWypkIk3AEu5a1MIwNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC02358.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The L-O-N-G view down from almost to the top of the mountains..........</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F2MwCbotfXs/XtCFMA8lOdI/AAAAAAAIOSk/SwiV_DAFF6wHSWeTN5QT0mpbENOZz4HGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F2MwCbotfXs/XtCFMA8lOdI/AAAAAAAIOSk/SwiV_DAFF6wHSWeTN5QT0mpbENOZz4HGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC02359.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">......zooomed picture to show Hwy one just before the turn.</td></tr>
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Postscript: This will probably be my last blog for a while. I'll be figuring out how and where to live, and hopefully work, after my job at Monte Vista and Alamosa National Wildlife Refuges has been suspended for the foreseeable future. I sort of expect I'll not get to be a volunteer anywhere for a few years, until I'm vaccinated against Covid -19. But I'll blog occasionally when I have an adventure to share. </div>
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Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-40114210601794830152020-05-24T23:31:00.000-05:002020-05-31T11:24:13.029-05:00A Visit to The Indians<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>May 17, 2020</i></span><br />
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Cindy always takes me out on interesting trips to her favorite places each weekend. This past weekend, she proposed a trip back to her workplace, Fort Hunter Liggett, and then through it to a wonderful corner of the Los Padres National Forest. She said she had three goals: find and photograph an elk herd, find the harlequin lupine, and locate some band-tailed pigeons. Plus she knew of a couple of trails we could hike. And in case that wasn't enough, she offered to take me out to supper. Of course, she had me at let's go out, so I promised to be ready to drive out at 6:00 A.M. as we had an hour's drive ahead of us.<br />
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The day started off sunny and calm, but by the time we reached the base, we were seeing clouds building, making for photographic opportunities. And at our first stop, we saw elk- but further away than we could photograph them. We went to a parallel road and found those wiley beasts had figured out how to be equidistant from the two roads. So we gave up on those and went on to a second place where Cindy often spots elk. There we had a much better view of a much bigger herd - probably thirty-five individuals. I saw a buck with nubs in my binoculars but didn't capture him in my photographs - I was only able to take a few parts of the herd.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-krxtII1u1FA/XsMPi17kN3I/AAAAAAAIONM/5IzUecoWf0EEunxvEwZ0zeO8-86bWfTDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-krxtII1u1FA/XsMPi17kN3I/AAAAAAAIONM/5IzUecoWf0EEunxvEwZ0zeO8-86bWfTDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC02079.jpg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storm clouds coming off the coast </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While stratocumulus clouds formed in the east</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the elk herd we saw resting in the shadows under oaks</td></tr>
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We checked off that objective and went on to hunt for the harlequin lupine. That was a much harder goal to achieve. We looked, gave up, hiked, then, as we continued our exploration of the forest, Cindy suddenly recognized a side road we were exploring as THE ROAD. Five minutes later we found several patches of the harlequin lupine growing in very poor, gravely soil.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harkequin lupin (Lupinus stiversii)</td></tr>
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Most of our day involved traveling several of the little side roads that lead to dispersed campsites with stops to photograph flowers and other interesting sights. The first road had a little family camping in a pop-up trailer. We passed them and their dog as we drove down the road. But we stayed the most time at at a rocky outcropping that was the home of the Chumash Indians.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4cSrr6dejRQ/XsMPjx9VsgI/AAAAAAAIONQ/b8AS-zIwa-AUgd2p98tcFAh7aJzZm5pBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4cSrr6dejRQ/XsMPjx9VsgI/AAAAAAAIONQ/b8AS-zIwa-AUgd2p98tcFAh7aJzZm5pBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC02089.jpg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://missionscalifornia.com/san-antonio-de-padua-mission/key-facts" target="_blank">San Antonio de Padua Mission</a> - California's third mission built in 1771 - this is on the base<br />
and is where we turned to get to the national forrest</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another stop for the sky </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Several ruddy ducks were using the pond we revisited on the base</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V-1UIYfuVvk/XsMPmf-l2qI/AAAAAAAIONc/Wf8Q18yBwx8-pFcuiAiYY-ijwklynbRtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1600" height="508" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V-1UIYfuVvk/XsMPmf-l2qI/AAAAAAAIONc/Wf8Q18yBwx8-pFcuiAiYY-ijwklynbRtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC02116.jpg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was excited to find milkweed in abundant amounts. I didn't find any blooming plants <br />
but think it is California milkweed ( <i style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #5f6368; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">Asclepias californica<span style="color: rgb(69 , 81 , 84); display: inline; font-family: "helveticaneue"; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">)</span></span></i></td></tr>
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We found a few grinding holes as we walked through a rocky area. But it wasn't until the following day that I found out I COULD have visited the wagon cave, an overhang that the Indians used for camping/housing. We hiked in clouds, mist, and a little sunshine, but the clouds mostly won. The area doesn't seem to have an official trail but is open to hiking, biking, and rock climbing, although you may not add pins to the rocks. I first did a trail that wound through the lower parts of the outcropping, and occasionally over the rocks, then went on the upper trail until I caught up with Cindy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RErePDbJycU/XsMPmh6-KvI/AAAAAAAIONg/8MYH5Hqkz6w7iblcko9o7nFpH2SZyLGIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RErePDbJycU/XsMPmh6-KvI/AAAAAAAIONg/8MYH5Hqkz6w7iblcko9o7nFpH2SZyLGIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC02125.jpg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginning of our hike</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outcropping near the beginning of the trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the narrow places I squeezed through</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o63kJX1dbfQ/XsMPpJ2JBZI/AAAAAAAIONs/zQfRThwtfHcX36kWbRQLwbNhVJmQfDLxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o63kJX1dbfQ/XsMPpJ2JBZI/AAAAAAAIONs/zQfRThwtfHcX36kWbRQLwbNhVJmQfDLxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC02145.jpg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lanceleaf liveforever (Dudleya laceolata) was growing at eye level along a tiny dry stream in a lush bed of moss</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A grinding hole taken from almost straight down</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUgdJ_xCoNE/XsMfxGL0XKI/AAAAAAAIOPk/R1bt2CMM01gQriE_GqPGO2lwyOxXfc0NACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUgdJ_xCoNE/XsMfxGL0XKI/AAAAAAAIOPk/R1bt2CMM01gQriE_GqPGO2lwyOxXfc0NACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC02155.jpg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I popped out into a more open area, I saw a storm coming - we only got tiny sprinkles of rain<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The path led over the front rock and then through the trees/rocks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes it even ran over open ground</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These lupines were growing in the middle of the trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VUc-4GQljqc/XsMPvvoNPgI/AAAAAAAIOOI/iP1Jislwarg9f51NMqPtwzADE8G65KGVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VUc-4GQljqc/XsMPvvoNPgI/AAAAAAAIOOI/iP1Jislwarg9f51NMqPtwzADE8G65KGVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC02213.jpg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I caught up with Cindy on the upper trail as she stopped to admire the creek twenty feet down in the gorge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KYqeqRKZOlQ/XsMPvMFV3fI/AAAAAAAIOOE/4H8yUBYtNbYF3mID4SpvsnSJvAFV0qyugCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KYqeqRKZOlQ/XsMPvMFV3fI/AAAAAAAIOOE/4H8yUBYtNbYF3mID4SpvsnSJvAFV0qyugCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC02208.jpg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A creek view from the top trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gAe8gv1GRrY/XsMPv0G8W8I/AAAAAAAIOOM/XrJUS2uRSgcdTpRNuR1FjtjC0rcQiC3SACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gAe8gv1GRrY/XsMPv0G8W8I/AAAAAAAIOOM/XrJUS2uRSgcdTpRNuR1FjtjC0rcQiC3SACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC02209.jpg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">A little pool carved out of the rock </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j2al1fyVWRU/XsMP2GtCc3I/AAAAAAAIOO4/GUITtpJzko0eMFHKZ-dHB3YFiRlVHFJWACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j2al1fyVWRU/XsMP2GtCc3I/AAAAAAAIOO4/GUITtpJzko0eMFHKZ-dHB3YFiRlVHFJWACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0707.jpg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found a place just at the end of the pool and got a foot massage in a little waterfall - got clean toenails too</td></tr>
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<img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=17hqd-kCtQkefHfr17Zi70IpuySDZJGpW" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=17hqd-kCtQkefHfr17Zi70IpuySDZJGpW" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nEc2BJ4LEuA/XsMPyfz4qlI/AAAAAAAIOOY/Vg53bj-xQWIfBb9HGbUQSK2cQB2CsYZEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nEc2BJ4LEuA/XsMPyfz4qlI/AAAAAAAIOOY/Vg53bj-xQWIfBb9HGbUQSK2cQB2CsYZEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC02215.jpg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">I spotted this "Easter Eag" - about three feet high from the high trail</span></td></tr>
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We ended the day's explorations by continuing to the campground past which the road is closed, due to mudslides. But we captured several more interesting bugs and plants in stops along the way.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sJEFEz_c7SY/XsMP2JVw4pI/AAAAAAAIOO0/igi2uy-p8qAgpajKUDOFrn1hUNWfec8UgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1402" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sJEFEz_c7SY/XsMP2JVw4pI/AAAAAAAIOO0/igi2uy-p8qAgpajKUDOFrn1hUNWfec8UgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0727.jpg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="560" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A bush katydid on a bush poppy flower</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2AbHzDe9Eh8/XsMPy_M91cI/AAAAAAAIOOc/U2cDQCaT1ikNXmqJlyRWYy14IOXClOQggCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2AbHzDe9Eh8/XsMPy_M91cI/AAAAAAAIOOc/U2cDQCaT1ikNXmqJlyRWYy14IOXClOQggCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0687.jpg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">I think this is cobwebby thistle</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cwBleO9GbY8/XsMPzFxrygI/AAAAAAAIOOg/rGGiEId7T5go7fNoPHQ43ged_mFd_23EACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cwBleO9GbY8/XsMPzFxrygI/AAAAAAAIOOg/rGGiEId7T5go7fNoPHQ43ged_mFd_23EACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0691.jpg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Large milkweed bugs on California milkweed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hp0XO5OKKK8/XsMPzy6ZI0I/AAAAAAAIOOo/Fea03wOLIZ4CndHLSrSL7aCB73CnMjItwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hp0XO5OKKK8/XsMPzy6ZI0I/AAAAAAAIOOo/Fea03wOLIZ4CndHLSrSL7aCB73CnMjItwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0703.jpg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Santa Lucia sticky monkey flower</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_CS1QdoAFo/XsMPza87vHI/AAAAAAAIOOk/q_O5zRLZBNcKdnpAtYAnzB-Ss__8_aoAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1150" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_CS1QdoAFo/XsMPza87vHI/AAAAAAAIOOk/q_O5zRLZBNcKdnpAtYAnzB-Ss__8_aoAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0698.jpg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="458" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cobalt milkweed beetles - who could have guessed?</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vl2kzlO4RNo/XsMP1Of68uI/AAAAAAAIOOw/umf1PJ4GBtkjhG5Q-ZqwLVLKNVcQLElbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1215" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vl2kzlO4RNo/XsMP1Of68uI/AAAAAAAIOOw/umf1PJ4GBtkjhG5Q-ZqwLVLKNVcQLElbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0709.jpg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="484" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">'Elegant clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata)</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TDufWukxay4/XsMP2oZ1CJI/AAAAAAAIOPA/e9OnVdPthmUOXs0GAFeL9WhQl2g1ghmUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TDufWukxay4/XsMP2oZ1CJI/AAAAAAAIOPA/e9OnVdPthmUOXs0GAFeL9WhQl2g1ghmUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0736.jpg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Spotted cucumber beetle in bush poppy flower</td></tr>
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As for the band-tailed pigeons - they saved us for another day. But we got our supper at San Miguel at the Taco Mafia and brought home enough for a second, and maybe a third, meal. That delicious supper just topped an outstanding day.<br />
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Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-39307870639551517192020-05-17T01:30:00.000-05:002020-05-17T01:30:05.166-05:00Birding Big Day in Morro Bay<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Cindy and I decided to spend last Saturday morning in the area of Morro Rock, so we could also turn in checklists for global big day. I ended up going back the following two days, in order to get decent pictures. And of course, there were lots of stuff I HAD to look at. And take pictures of.<br />
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I have been trying to take this picture of Morro Rock since I first saw it from the south. I finally got the early morning light to take it from the town of Morro Bay's marina.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3W6YuzNrpl0/Xr3wcAUchpI/AAAAAAAIOMM/8nnCzwWgTy8MR07aTLNrGkLWQTPfpB8IQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3W6YuzNrpl0/Xr3wcAUchpI/AAAAAAAIOMM/8nnCzwWgTy8MR07aTLNrGkLWQTPfpB8IQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01761.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morro Rock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--UOy6sxCS1U/Xr2Qm1CqPWI/AAAAAAAIOJw/ZILf2jpscmoAeJgdAGQZ6-D5O5vYPQgNACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--UOy6sxCS1U/Xr2Qm1CqPWI/AAAAAAAIOJw/ZILf2jpscmoAeJgdAGQZ6-D5O5vYPQgNACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01262.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing canyon wren male (Click here for <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uuiNfUxqOM" target="_blank">audio</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Wz9snmO1Zs/Xr2QoKqrHBI/AAAAAAAIOJ0/Ss8aOsVJFI4_90XQZmFLOM-AmWfqFAvRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Wz9snmO1Zs/Xr2QoKqrHBI/AAAAAAAIOJ0/Ss8aOsVJFI4_90XQZmFLOM-AmWfqFAvRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01366.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Dark-eyed juncos are very common </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-90FTR5ckI/Xr2bgkGuaKI/AAAAAAAIOLw/7YLH-rPbo-c4EPY_zQZGgCuPEJTRjtgFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_6796.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b-90FTR5ckI/Xr2bgkGuaKI/AAAAAAAIOLw/7YLH-rPbo-c4EPY_zQZGgCuPEJTRjtgFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_6796.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White crowned sparrow are the most common</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pe7JV7xByX0/Xr2QmmdTzrI/AAAAAAAIOJs/IVI98Bm5scI-cxux4KGgID2IjYpn8m7SQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01390.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California lesser goldfinches have green backs but still sound like the Texas ones</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pe7JV7xByX0/Xr2QmmdTzrI/AAAAAAAIOJs/IVI98Bm5scI-cxux4KGgID2IjYpn8m7SQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7RqxXOBvXw/Xr2QoAxtjFI/AAAAAAAIOJ4/VXe8pgZg4KoOvcmH1qg3AEd2KAAi7_vPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7RqxXOBvXw/Xr2QoAxtjFI/AAAAAAAIOJ4/VXe8pgZg4KoOvcmH1qg3AEd2KAAi7_vPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01397.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California towees are super common</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0pjtotBAzUM/Xr2Qoa20eSI/AAAAAAAIOJ8/UUCucFXC8W4ZBmnzvd83zWwKUM2iXMfegCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1325" data-original-width="1600" height="528" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0pjtotBAzUM/Xr2Qoa20eSI/AAAAAAAIOJ8/UUCucFXC8W4ZBmnzvd83zWwKUM2iXMfegCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01446.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got this bushtit at Morro Bay State Park...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJ1vkbfYBu8/Xr2QxQfrZ6I/AAAAAAAIOLE/0HPXSUlA6aksiZRfTexZ8ikv8y7kD80zgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJ1vkbfYBu8/Xr2QxQfrZ6I/AAAAAAAIOLE/0HPXSUlA6aksiZRfTexZ8ikv8y7kD80zgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01996.jpg" width="418" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...but we watched a pair working on the nest - actually mostly just saw movement and <br />
zooming birds at Morro Rock - it looks like a dirty sock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y3NN6yfm-Dc/Xr2QxNgnoMI/AAAAAAAIOLA/kPHlhGaGDNYmr4IUVYOeNNg1uD2umLUEACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y3NN6yfm-Dc/Xr2QxNgnoMI/AAAAAAAIOLA/kPHlhGaGDNYmr4IUVYOeNNg1uD2umLUEACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC02011.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Non-nesting brown pelicans were feeding at the breakwater at Morro Rock </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S6RX8cgEv5M/Xr2Qx0BqPjI/AAAAAAAIOLM/DttpySsnxOghE38r6RlsF9VgVnoqfEtTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC02021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="1600" height="356" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S6RX8cgEv5M/Xr2Qx0BqPjI/AAAAAAAIOLM/DttpySsnxOghE38r6RlsF9VgVnoqfEtTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC02021.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All these pelicans are under three years old and still in juvenile plumage</td></tr>
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The California quail have paired up and we always see the male and female together. Haven't seen any with babies yet. This pair was in the camping area of Moro Bay State Park. The male was on a little house doing sentry duty while the female grazed. Then she jumped on the picnic to wipe her bill.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMd3SNvsblA/Xr2Qo60JiiI/AAAAAAAIOKA/lZocVS4MYOEvN2N5sYuQ6hNmCUuwb_1bwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMd3SNvsblA/Xr2Qo60JiiI/AAAAAAAIOKA/lZocVS4MYOEvN2N5sYuQ6hNmCUuwb_1bwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01469.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California quail male</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFv5QFSJRVA/Xr2QpDwPy9I/AAAAAAAIOKE/TXvUdVp78xoCZG189ToAScqHl-n77c63gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFv5QFSJRVA/Xr2QpDwPy9I/AAAAAAAIOKE/TXvUdVp78xoCZG189ToAScqHl-n77c63gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01481.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And his female</td></tr>
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Just inside Morro Bay State Park is a Heron/Cormorant rookery. It is supposed to have breeding Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Black-crowned night herons, and cormorants. I didn't find any night herons there but there were plenty of the other three species. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6puNu6VodSQ/Xr2Qsq2UIQI/AAAAAAAIOKg/DHzjhuCs9ZUjYrs_2x1MjxZH2jKk72KxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6puNu6VodSQ/Xr2Qsq2UIQI/AAAAAAAIOKg/DHzjhuCs9ZUjYrs_2x1MjxZH2jKk72KxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01780.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkey vultures use the rookery as a roost</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffBBsrQcQGY/Xr2Qse2bgpI/AAAAAAAIOKc/FRlcrQ-KgOoawFIyip0mnP9VzBAUl9ZxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1600" height="414" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffBBsrQcQGY/Xr2Qse2bgpI/AAAAAAAIOKc/FRlcrQ-KgOoawFIyip0mnP9VzBAUl9ZxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01790.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female cormorants were sitting on eggs while the males came back and forth</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oERLBtPB2Y8/Xr2QuQn5dHI/AAAAAAAIOKo/dFoLFuFrZ_4TcMMiF8xgdBtNU4tQxi7_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oERLBtPB2Y8/Xr2QuQn5dHI/AAAAAAAIOKo/dFoLFuFrZ_4TcMMiF8xgdBtNU4tQxi7_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01811.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Condo's are in short supply</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5mYuGtc061s/Xr2Quk43l4I/AAAAAAAIOKs/2NwT98NE3TwoqDy3SZfDYqnftVmxmRWxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5mYuGtc061s/Xr2Quk43l4I/AAAAAAAIOKs/2NwT98NE3TwoqDy3SZfDYqnftVmxmRWxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01812.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think copulation was in progress at this nest</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KiayqOCP9fE/Xr2QtJQYlUI/AAAAAAAIOKk/hTDXno0K7i0bcbMfV-Y2TakCYwE4z6aeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KiayqOCP9fE/Xr2QtJQYlUI/AAAAAAAIOKk/hTDXno0K7i0bcbMfV-Y2TakCYwE4z6aeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01794.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this one of those California red tailed hawks</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2KS7JQ6bhY/Xr2Q9eI5kuI/AAAAAAAIOLU/xSLTsVTtEFM7m0LX4HbH-w3y4sUa9cUXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_6854.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2KS7JQ6bhY/Xr2Q9eI5kuI/AAAAAAAIOLU/xSLTsVTtEFM7m0LX4HbH-w3y4sUa9cUXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_6854.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great egret and three snowy egrets were feeding on the incoming tide - I missed the other two but love seeing the differences between them. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_ZBPjA-794/Xr2QwFzl2pI/AAAAAAAIOK8/hQE5HnOXUwsquvzaxrUyhQQayC9-P-oxACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1600" height="402" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_ZBPjA-794/Xr2QwFzl2pI/AAAAAAAIOK8/hQE5HnOXUwsquvzaxrUyhQQayC9-P-oxACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01965.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then I got distracted by the surfers - but one had to wait WAY longer on them than on the birds</td></tr>
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I am STILL trying to take good pictures of the sea otters.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjVIOwZ-IT4/Xr2lD3mMPyI/AAAAAAAIOMA/CAfy5Ffac7I5Q5-2cygXnHSeK90K1XLmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1173" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjVIOwZ-IT4/Xr2lD3mMPyI/AAAAAAAIOMA/CAfy5Ffac7I5Q5-2cygXnHSeK90K1XLmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01845.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still trying to photograph sea lions</td></tr>
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I've been hearing harbor seals barking. I finally found them - all in one place. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lM85ggqIBWo/Xr3w1fAqKaI/AAAAAAAIOMU/ON37fZqVNzwHs8kU_eZge7F4pVi24J43gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1239" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lM85ggqIBWo/Xr3w1fAqKaI/AAAAAAAIOMU/ON37fZqVNzwHs8kU_eZge7F4pVi24J43gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01726.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was about half of the seals - guess they haven't gotten the social distancing message</td></tr>
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I'm always on the hunt for native bees. This is the ONLY bumblebee I've seen in California. And it isn't all that common. I seldom see more than one at a time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--LTYevTsByQ/Xr2QvGuTEFI/AAAAAAAIOK0/mMGzMQ4iIpk88DzRadvppneftCuW698BwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--LTYevTsByQ/Xr2QvGuTEFI/AAAAAAAIOK0/mMGzMQ4iIpk88DzRadvppneftCuW698BwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01874.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="taxon taxon-57689 species Insecta" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="comname " style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Yellow-faced Bumble Bee<span style="color: orangered;"> </span></span><span class="othernames" style="border: 0px; color: #888888; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(<span class="sciname" style="border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bombus vosnesenskii</span>)</span></span></span></td></tr>
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We found forty species over two sites and two days. Not much by Texas standards, but the most birds I've seen far. </div>
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Hope you too are getting to get out into nature, but staying out away from people. </div>
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Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-16752690169734337832020-05-10T01:30:00.000-05:002020-05-13T15:24:45.435-05:00Sunday Morning Was Just Beachy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Sunday, May 3, 2020</i></span><br />
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Poor Cindy has to work five days a week and can only go play on the weekends. She has been really missing the beach, after seeing and hearing about all my fun. So we decided to head down and play along Morro Bay. She also wanted to show me a breeding area for the endangered pipping plovers.<br />
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We went down to my favorite beach and immediately were blown away by the rising fog. As the sun came up, we saw a fogbow. Cindy had to combine two pictures to capture the view. And Morro Rock finally appeared out of the fog. And then there was the light, making everything more beautiful.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hR_hYbvpoX0/XrQcrSqrzZI/AAAAAAAIOGY/Jqmle3RLdwYoPLVHtpJLWxB3QNRvFCkwACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="1260" height="262" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hR_hYbvpoX0/XrQcrSqrzZI/AAAAAAAIOGY/Jqmle3RLdwYoPLVHtpJLWxB3QNRvFCkwACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_1005.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fogbow by Cindy - she had to combine two pictures to show the actual view</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCoG1ylysyM/XrQclrIcdxI/AAAAAAAIOFc/b-liKPqDqkoFFHTyInplHG9Jucw6ePJ5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCoG1ylysyM/XrQclrIcdxI/AAAAAAAIOFc/b-liKPqDqkoFFHTyInplHG9Jucw6ePJ5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00326.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cindy posing in front of Morro Rock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsuU4pM8Ryk/XrQcjVb6ADI/AAAAAAAIOFY/HNLEtAoCSAMtlEDd2T-s31C5JQZ_dvuggCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1600" height="414" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsuU4pM8Ryk/XrQcjVb6ADI/AAAAAAAIOFY/HNLEtAoCSAMtlEDd2T-s31C5JQZ_dvuggCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00310.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the beach of the sand dunes and the mountains behind them in the early morning fog</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bvLrMhJee4/XrQcsIGpEjI/AAAAAAAIOGc/Qv6_prKgWx41Thj8WmfECktuNl6fGEfngCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="1260" height="427" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bvLrMhJee4/XrQcsIGpEjI/AAAAAAAIOGc/Qv6_prKgWx41Thj8WmfECktuNl6fGEfngCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_1009.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cindy's picture of me on the beach</td></tr>
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I saw lots of art in the beautiful light and changed my camera to the watercolor setting for some of them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-REHaF_Hz1Xo/XrQcjLpsqLI/AAAAAAAIOFU/VVmndu_4su4T8HpnTX4O2w8Cf5nYj-BKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-REHaF_Hz1Xo/XrQcjLpsqLI/AAAAAAAIOFU/VVmndu_4su4T8HpnTX4O2w8Cf5nYj-BKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00280.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrangement by the tide</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5sZoRHeMx48/XrQco0JwJgI/AAAAAAAIOF8/VGaU3sh01kAXZhJfoG0H9QwrUW0T-qhygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5sZoRHeMx48/XrQco0JwJgI/AAAAAAAIOF8/VGaU3sh01kAXZhJfoG0H9QwrUW0T-qhygCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00570.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a shell in watercolor mode - loved the purple</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U9T2BJKMo9c/XrQ_mPYYUaI/AAAAAAAIOHM/v9hWN2sx4DkzB-Gi45CpBtOr8eXc8XrEACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1600" height="520" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U9T2BJKMo9c/XrQ_mPYYUaI/AAAAAAAIOHM/v9hWN2sx4DkzB-Gi45CpBtOr8eXc8XrEACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00271.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the purple flowering invasive mustard added beauty when backlighted by the rising sun</td></tr>
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After a few beautiful hours wandering around on the beach and taking lots of pictures, we moved back north to Estero Bluffs State Park. We parked in a big pullout and walked down the partially paved trail after watching kayakers hauling their kayaks down that trail towards the beach. We had to spend the first several minutes trying to capture the beautiful, partially foggy light.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of at least a few score of pictures I attempted to capture the amazing light - <br />
and this is the landmark for the parking lot that </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We followed a couple of kayakers down to this beach - and saw another fogbow</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male American goldfinch feeding</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Song sparrow singing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny beauty dressed in fog droplets - found this is invasive rose clover and out competes native clovers and grasses</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A watercolor modification of a shoreline view as we walked north</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only banded snowy plover of about seven we found - I turned in the band pattern </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whimbrel taking his crab to shore </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sanderlings hunting for food along the edge of the incoming tide</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only least sandpiper I saw</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cliff swallows were racing to collect mud and build their nests</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">View down <span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">San Geronimo </span> Creek towards the beach </span></td></tr>
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We had intended to only spend a couple of early morning hours on the beach. But we had arrived before sunrise and spent over five hours before we noticed we were starving. But this was the BEST medicine for the isolation blues. And I had three miles on my step meter. Cindy walked over two miles- the longest she has been able to walk in over a year. </div>
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Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-64210976582335052182020-05-06T07:57:00.000-05:002020-05-06T13:44:42.716-05:00Best Hike So Far in California<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>Tuesday, May 6, 2020</i></div>
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I hiked the Three Bridges Oak Preserve Trail today. The round trip was about five miles, and took me to the highest point of the area. I totally enjoyed the walk through the various habitats: riparian, meadow, oak savannah, chaparral, and madrone. You can look down at wonderful wildflowers, notice blooming shrubs, listen and look at birds, and find butterflies and bees. And you can look out over a good part of the county. While this area has been somewhat invaded by non natives, it also had a diverse collection of native forbs, grasses, shrubs and trees, making for an interesting, as well as beautiful stroll. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpGke7vngSM/XrHxFL7pJpI/AAAAAAAIOAQ/qIyLLcMJJwgVtk9gbUa-FCWmRB8Qzd5QACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0380.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpGke7vngSM/XrHxFL7pJpI/AAAAAAAIOAQ/qIyLLcMJJwgVtk9gbUa-FCWmRB8Qzd5QACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0380.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can never get a perfect picture of California poppies - but I keep trying - these were at the trailhead</td></tr>
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The trail goes under the main highway and then, almost immediately crosses a creek. This is the piece of the trail one is to use when water is in the creek. I tried the other crossing on the way back and decided the water was too high at the beginning so used this route both times.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atascardero Creek</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I definitely got in a lot of tree bathing and feel so much better</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BtoeW0h9tWQ/XrHxGgG1ooI/AAAAAAAIOAY/JhAYbSXVKjY0gl9qIyKb20d6r9ek9H4zQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0386.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BtoeW0h9tWQ/XrHxGgG1ooI/AAAAAAAIOAY/JhAYbSXVKjY0gl9qIyKb20d6r9ek9H4zQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0386.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You MUST know your poison oak - warning signs were at the beginning of the trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I forgot my camera - and took this small flower with my phone. I thought I had seen one bug <br />
but got the entire family - skypilot (Polemonium eximium)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the native larkspurs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese Houses (Collinsia heterophylla)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hummingbird sage - one of my new favorites</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were a few spring flowers still blooming</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was soon in the oak savannah, and seeing coastal live oak, canyon live oak, and the most mystical of all, blue oak</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNHPnx4F7i8/XrHxJHTrUZI/AAAAAAAIOAw/v6MXv4gS_S8CZq7a2Rm4uXcJywkWcwSwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0396.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1131" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNHPnx4F7i8/XrHxJHTrUZI/AAAAAAAIOAw/v6MXv4gS_S8CZq7a2Rm4uXcJywkWcwSwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0396.jpg" width="452" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The very common sticky monkey flower </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ia4ArbKnLKk/XrHxLIKDQlI/AAAAAAAIOA8/aiwAZ58XRrseo9kpIlGNkT_bk2yYxV0mQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0398.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ia4ArbKnLKk/XrHxLIKDQlI/AAAAAAAIOA8/aiwAZ58XRrseo9kpIlGNkT_bk2yYxV0mQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0398.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trees were awesome - and here I heard both wild turkeys and a domestic rooster,<br />
as well as California quail and songbirds<br />
<br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7wrmjq1M-4/XrHxL8we--I/AAAAAAAIOBA/UD1vIteDcNo75pr8ApBRPSeT4Bb8yzB2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0401.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7wrmjq1M-4/XrHxL8we--I/AAAAAAAIOBA/UD1vIteDcNo75pr8ApBRPSeT4Bb8yzB2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0401.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure what this was<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oX4d-c3mT5M/XrHxOVmU_zI/AAAAAAAIOBM/6BpClb7F0bYRw1LaeMVezXuRSiVZsZikgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0404.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oX4d-c3mT5M/XrHxOVmU_zI/AAAAAAAIOBM/6BpClb7F0bYRw1LaeMVezXuRSiVZsZikgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0404.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little family was going down the MANY switchbacks - the little boy was saying he likes going down best</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-45OuOrQ1c/XrHxNhpUNPI/AAAAAAAIOBI/JE0dp1V4nFgYNm1Q55sN2_xsAXI-6acLACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0408.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-45OuOrQ1c/XrHxNhpUNPI/AAAAAAAIOBI/JE0dp1V4nFgYNm1Q55sN2_xsAXI-6acLACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0408.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had many beds of these Chinese Houses (Collinsia heterophylla)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LpMbD8L9Yk8/XrHxOaUQayI/AAAAAAAIOBQ/U-nwLeeESigCDx4_dzv4FTch3ljYbPGMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0420.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LpMbD8L9Yk8/XrHxOaUQayI/AAAAAAAIOBQ/U-nwLeeESigCDx4_dzv4FTch3ljYbPGMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0420.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was lots of pitcher sage but I only saw honey bees using it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XST-FmOo5ek/XrHxPH8uC4I/AAAAAAAIOBU/It3uvEWvGvo2nNBE2jAplHOJVm__KTBqACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0422.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XST-FmOo5ek/XrHxPH8uC4I/AAAAAAAIOBU/It3uvEWvGvo2nNBE2jAplHOJVm__KTBqACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0422.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers and trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_8U3QK7jMk/XrHxPdFMbxI/AAAAAAAIOBY/FMqbgk4OMTEQpoh31AdkmMP5PpQnqrKcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0423.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="989" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_8U3QK7jMk/XrHxPdFMbxI/AAAAAAAIOBY/FMqbgk4OMTEQpoh31AdkmMP5PpQnqrKcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0423.jpg" width="394" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum) closeup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oUd2nOLzOLY/XrHxPqTEjAI/AAAAAAAIOBc/G7NEX-sF2V4A9TPuVE21JbmXzLtiuJqwACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0426.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1184" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oUd2nOLzOLY/XrHxPqTEjAI/AAAAAAAIOBc/G7NEX-sF2V4A9TPuVE21JbmXzLtiuJqwACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0426.jpg" width="472" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unknown plant 1 - please comment if you know it - </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-o2MP2V-kg/XrHxP73qJyI/AAAAAAAIOBg/cqtMcPfeHTwSqquzkb-WaqZeuqxJL3ErQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0429.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-o2MP2V-kg/XrHxP73qJyI/AAAAAAAIOBg/cqtMcPfeHTwSqquzkb-WaqZeuqxJL3ErQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0429.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unknown plant 2 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mtIWVQdxNFw/XrHxQNaxD1I/AAAAAAAIOBk/a0bWVmyY1Mcudk8xI8tjMkfLFak81DkqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0434.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mtIWVQdxNFw/XrHxQNaxD1I/AAAAAAAIOBk/a0bWVmyY1Mcudk8xI8tjMkfLFak81DkqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0434.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New leaves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5vcJTsquZ0U/XrHxQVL5QAI/AAAAAAAIOBo/4NMeJ_UvIPAKIRd5ddOSHHBYkXGIJjD_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0436.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1184" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5vcJTsquZ0U/XrHxQVL5QAI/AAAAAAAIOBo/4NMeJ_UvIPAKIRd5ddOSHHBYkXGIJjD_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0436.jpg" width="472" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wooly Bluecurls (Trichostema lanatum)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPiE03iBUJc/XrHxRDCMfZI/AAAAAAAIOBs/FQrEvW8AXTMZW0_e4qqcg3M-vnHfw6voQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0442.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPiE03iBUJc/XrHxRDCMfZI/AAAAAAAIOBs/FQrEvW8AXTMZW0_e4qqcg3M-vnHfw6voQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0442.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This looked all dainty and merry - with red stems and green leaves until I looked a little closer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7c3wTH3biQU/XrHxRrYJ9ZI/AAAAAAAIOBw/njEJIW0t_zAErTz-xFQ8jrCGoHUUfiKtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0443.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7c3wTH3biQU/XrHxRrYJ9ZI/AAAAAAAIOBw/njEJIW0t_zAErTz-xFQ8jrCGoHUUfiKtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0443.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Could this be the last switchback - nope - had over a mile to go</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The chaparral started about two thirds of the way up. A lot of birds were using that area. And I found many different kinds of blooming or berrying shrubs.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GzoFl7dqFGQ/XrHxRj5lrVI/AAAAAAAIOB0/jhjrQgU265gRUcyhKybLpAQeB6Q5UmQmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0446.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1263" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GzoFl7dqFGQ/XrHxRj5lrVI/AAAAAAAIOB0/jhjrQgU265gRUcyhKybLpAQeB6Q5UmQmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0446.jpg" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cJbPIohx8Ck/XrHxR-mBM7I/AAAAAAAIOB4/PPC3LOhqarg05P3KZm4x0eIpYdOrCoQoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0450.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cJbPIohx8Ck/XrHxR-mBM7I/AAAAAAAIOB4/PPC3LOhqarg05P3KZm4x0eIpYdOrCoQoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0450.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pitcher sage was too pretty to leave out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRfC87rMi-U/XrHxSdBGz5I/AAAAAAAIOB8/Iqx5972cWBI9r9ioVngK6ml08lH5o3NGACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0451.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRfC87rMi-U/XrHxSdBGz5I/AAAAAAAIOB8/Iqx5972cWBI9r9ioVngK6ml08lH5o3NGACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0451.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LqMXeLIerx0/XrHxSmMfljI/AAAAAAAIOCA/Zi_q-qgu0NgBIlSxigCtgi4Q82CQy59xwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0452.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1148" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LqMXeLIerx0/XrHxSmMfljI/AAAAAAAIOCA/Zi_q-qgu0NgBIlSxigCtgi4Q82CQy59xwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0452.jpg" width="458" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Nightshade (Solanum xanti)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nxmWlJlJsT8/XrHxS8q-bRI/AAAAAAAIOCE/LhKNNQkyATo7P9v1pNi5m2zt30y3HpmGACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0457.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1007" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nxmWlJlJsT8/XrHxS8q-bRI/AAAAAAAIOCE/LhKNNQkyATo7P9v1pNi5m2zt30y3HpmGACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0457.jpg" width="402" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California everlasting (Pseudognaphalium californicum)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhZEzTo6I1s/XrHxTNlCsqI/AAAAAAAIOCI/Gt09j7ljXb4sB_sY_TY5lPqumFjkxq--gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0460.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhZEzTo6I1s/XrHxTNlCsqI/AAAAAAAIOCI/Gt09j7ljXb4sB_sY_TY5lPqumFjkxq--gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0460.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a syrphid fly on blue Dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GrC6rHEfzyE/XrHxTXFc8HI/AAAAAAAIOCM/3y50T6CqwmkGcMeIlEnVcK0T2Q-IWSafACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0464.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1106" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GrC6rHEfzyE/XrHxTXFc8HI/AAAAAAAIOCM/3y50T6CqwmkGcMeIlEnVcK0T2Q-IWSafACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0464.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The remains of a flower and the fruit it made this look like a cartoon insect face to me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vIdZW1VpjMs/XrIpB5JlHcI/AAAAAAAIOEc/ljE_bigka2ETsxAzl4u4qFbQCruCaga_wCK4BGAsYHg/IMG_0403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3310" data-original-width="2483" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vIdZW1VpjMs/XrIpB5JlHcI/AAAAAAAIOEc/ljE_bigka2ETsxAzl4u4qFbQCruCaga_wCK4BGAsYHg/s640/IMG_0403.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue oak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xo93Ewfu80c/XrHxT4c2-QI/AAAAAAAIOCQ/hOn5zeVTEpo6vUbroYKUKYmxvFMiWGYOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0469.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xo93Ewfu80c/XrHxT4c2-QI/AAAAAAAIOCQ/hOn5zeVTEpo6vUbroYKUKYmxvFMiWGYOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0469.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was lots of miners lettuce in the lower parts of the trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3c5vxrK0Dg/XrHxUI-IBUI/AAAAAAAIOCU/m_trRMKzBl8agHjop6C2IfRdomzmd9qKACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0472.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="965" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3c5vxrK0Dg/XrHxUI-IBUI/AAAAAAAIOCU/m_trRMKzBl8agHjop6C2IfRdomzmd9qKACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0472.jpg" width="384" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nature's garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--KmFlpOjfnM/XrHxUbdXKMI/AAAAAAAIOCY/w__ah4ZqpNcPDQRGarU0gvd89zA2v-IlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0477.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1254" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--KmFlpOjfnM/XrHxUbdXKMI/AAAAAAAIOCY/w__ah4ZqpNcPDQRGarU0gvd89zA2v-IlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0477.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the beginning of the Madrone forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6s9ek1FWtYY/XrHxVTQ9lAI/AAAAAAAIOCc/IR11Uw9B988C5pKsnZJHQ-UePT3KHBdjACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0479.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6s9ek1FWtYY/XrHxVTQ9lAI/AAAAAAAIOCc/IR11Uw9B988C5pKsnZJHQ-UePT3KHBdjACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0479.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tiny wood fern</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Se6R50VV5c/XrHxVsQwA0I/AAAAAAAIOCg/rEW-RDdSYwY2S4G9f3zSdfQ_-WlxLOLxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0480.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Se6R50VV5c/XrHxVsQwA0I/AAAAAAAIOCg/rEW-RDdSYwY2S4G9f3zSdfQ_-WlxLOLxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0480.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The madrones were almost finished blooming... </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojmPBoFYzUY/XrHxV3ZA-aI/AAAAAAAIOCk/azrsKJo3AdQ7-3LIODQyoGavP-k3p73FgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0481.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojmPBoFYzUY/XrHxV3ZA-aI/AAAAAAAIOCk/azrsKJo3AdQ7-3LIODQyoGavP-k3p73FgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0481.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...And were putting on new growth...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Te4nO9cyDs/XrHxWKnMxeI/AAAAAAAIOCo/9dkIsGauJYw1zmNFW_UYghnar1xbz1OAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0483.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1194" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Te4nO9cyDs/XrHxWKnMxeI/AAAAAAAIOCo/9dkIsGauJYw1zmNFW_UYghnar1xbz1OAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0483.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... but were still attractive to insects</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_2PfqNNv1OM/XrH2-DSHDzI/AAAAAAAIOD4/M09HOASRydMNsLO0Z14wFqPmvBvxcNbzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_66a9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="1600" height="210" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_2PfqNNv1OM/XrH2-DSHDzI/AAAAAAAIOD4/M09HOASRydMNsLO0Z14wFqPmvBvxcNbzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_66a9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I finally made it to the top after climbing too many switchbacks to count</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3yDNmlGNk54/XrH24k0GcBI/AAAAAAAIODk/zVcl9oCITd8dGCGpAsXV1U5KitUoGc-HgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_66af.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1600" height="490" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3yDNmlGNk54/XrH24k0GcBI/AAAAAAAIODk/zVcl9oCITd8dGCGpAsXV1U5KitUoGc-HgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_66af.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This garter snake was sunning at the edge of the trail and didn't worry about me taking its picture</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3vNT6FwFLV0/XrH26n4dneI/AAAAAAAIODs/ITZe6D_XeOw6Hss4psZDwY7YSOl0tMdeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_66b0.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3vNT6FwFLV0/XrH26n4dneI/AAAAAAAIODs/ITZe6D_XeOw6Hss4psZDwY7YSOl0tMdeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_66b0.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were lots of butterflies on the way down but I couldn't capture them with my phone camera</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e8bgpPsEsaY/XrH28wjUh_I/AAAAAAAIODw/v6-tCTbLrykBEZQxSXTzWiExPxRT-A8QQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_66b1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e8bgpPsEsaY/XrH28wjUh_I/AAAAAAAIODw/v6-tCTbLrykBEZQxSXTzWiExPxRT-A8QQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_66b1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bottom trail is circular so this was a new view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MStOypayArQ/XrH290b2ShI/AAAAAAAIOD0/3cLZNiM0L0Evlhsdu0xCXb0qVLkHP0c-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_66b3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MStOypayArQ/XrH290b2ShI/AAAAAAAIOD0/3cLZNiM0L0Evlhsdu0xCXb0qVLkHP0c-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/fullsizeoutput_66b3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to the creek - I took this looking up stream from the where the trail meets the creek when you start- <br />
you wade upstream to where that little indention is on top right when the creek is dry</td></tr>
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Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-60830289714479737232020-05-03T01:30:00.000-05:002020-05-03T01:30:06.039-05:00Moro Rock - Half Gone But Hanging On<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Saturday, May 2, 2020</i></span><br />
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Morro Rock is a one of several volcanic plugs on the California coast. Today parts of it is a nature sanctuary and all of is a California Historical Site. But only about half of it got preserved. The rest was dynamited from<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> 1889 to 1969, to provide material for the breakwater of Morro Bay and the improvements at Port San Luis Harbor. I'm so glad we kept half of it for the public to enjoy. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-daqX3O6MoPI/Xq4SKYDCIaI/AAAAAAAIN-k/7_-fKIZ7QiUAKMDi3NMI5niGtZ4weChMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-daqX3O6MoPI/Xq4SKYDCIaI/AAAAAAAIN-k/7_-fKIZ7QiUAKMDi3NMI5niGtZ4weChMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I first caught glimpses of Morro rock on the way to Montana de Oro State Park and a view from the park,<br />
partly obscured by fog</td></tr>
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I have attempted to visit the rock several times, but have a penchant for getting distracted and following a trail, a bee, or even a view, so it took several tries to actually get there. But I thought the second of two days might be auspicious, when I caught a rare sunrise on my way there. That was but one of many diversions, in spite of it being my second day in a row, of exploring down the coast.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise over vineyards</td></tr>
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My first close up view of Morro Rock was from the edge of the recreation area leading to it. Kayakers and surfers put in from the beach located in the curve in the picture below.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nAGgrBIk1-s/Xq4Q9_bdx4I/AAAAAAAIN9Q/OXkKPGEtmpAowVcs21JhfPhzzcTdvBt0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nAGgrBIk1-s/Xq4Q9_bdx4I/AAAAAAAIN9Q/OXkKPGEtmpAowVcs21JhfPhzzcTdvBt0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01351.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the beginning of the walking tour</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B622pzEIQZg/Xq4Q-vg63cI/AAAAAAAIN9Y/9mZ8-Y3sFUQEVxY5X-A5UknjN_e_pZ1OQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1600" height="474" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B622pzEIQZg/Xq4Q-vg63cI/AAAAAAAIN9Y/9mZ8-Y3sFUQEVxY5X-A5UknjN_e_pZ1OQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01353.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From a bit closer so I could exclude the diving platform</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQDeuyCow64/Xq4Q-fsMkbI/AAAAAAAIN9U/veQ8HxfLh-Q9-U7xwOVLKJmFjsBiD2AUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQDeuyCow64/Xq4Q-fsMkbI/AAAAAAAIN9U/veQ8HxfLh-Q9-U7xwOVLKJmFjsBiD2AUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01363.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another of my "watercolor shots" of the north end of Morro Rock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fpTGWeOu8Y/Xq4Q_OZlNVI/AAAAAAAIN9c/6Y_0irzlu38rxqXPkNCGBchVHmT3S36KACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fpTGWeOu8Y/Xq4Q_OZlNVI/AAAAAAAIN9c/6Y_0irzlu38rxqXPkNCGBchVHmT3S36KACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01365.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watercolor pictures of some of the flora</td></tr>
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I spent a lot of time watching the sea otters - both on the way out and back in. They were just far enough out and in very bright, overhead light to make it hard to distinguish them from the dark seaweed. The sea otters were fairly close to shore but in very bright, overhead light.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WS-VDuTLDxM/Xq4RAP90AoI/AAAAAAAIN9g/3JolTHTxQM0JCRWtdPqvV3XB7lx2R_dEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WS-VDuTLDxM/Xq4RAP90AoI/AAAAAAAIN9g/3JolTHTxQM0JCRWtdPqvV3XB7lx2R_dEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01400.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were lots of mothers and large babies. - I had a hard time telling what was otter and what was not - <br />
can you see the two mother/baby pairs?</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uIlfUgxvuIM/Xq4RESFJi-I/AAAAAAAIN-A/PucoJYVIqLorrZCGjjCIQfxYFAd2v6ITgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1253" data-original-width="1600" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uIlfUgxvuIM/Xq4RESFJi-I/AAAAAAAIN-A/PucoJYVIqLorrZCGjjCIQfxYFAd2v6ITgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01620.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Wrapped up sea otter - mothers roll them up in a floating, but rooted, piece of see grass<br />
to keep them in place while they dive for sea urchins</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXPr-YNsafA/Xq4RCjSARSI/AAAAAAAIN9s/Sb9uTm5ptaM5T0gIRZEDO5ba0lTEKlj1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXPr-YNsafA/Xq4RCjSARSI/AAAAAAAIN9s/Sb9uTm5ptaM5T0gIRZEDO5ba0lTEKlj1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01504.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The trail continues along the south end of the rock</td></tr>
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I came upon a group of huge prickly pear cactus. I noticed that there was something very different about some of the ears. They I noticed that they had been carved by vandals and responded with growing a kind of scar tissue.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nDBYlJe7cgA/Xq4RCaFmOZI/AAAAAAAIN9o/2nSXwmDdrrkCLkfXlOr8nBkkq7os_oPsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nDBYlJe7cgA/Xq4RCaFmOZI/AAAAAAAIN9o/2nSXwmDdrrkCLkfXlOr8nBkkq7os_oPsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01499.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vandalized cactus pad</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Oy2Qx7wg_0/Xq4eNGDNSTI/AAAAAAAIN-4/1aU9cwRir6oVZOpTGLa86045P6NKT0qoACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fK7MADK2TUu2ZEgt25j4%2525g_thumb_dcb9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Oy2Qx7wg_0/Xq4eNGDNSTI/AAAAAAAIN-4/1aU9cwRir6oVZOpTGLa86045P6NKT0qoACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/fK7MADK2TUu2ZEgt25j4%2525g_thumb_dcb9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blooms and vandalized pads</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Two Indian tribes, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salinan" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Salinan">Salinan</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"> and </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chumash_people" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0b0080; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Chumash people">Chumash</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"> tribes consider Morro Rock to be a sacred site and the Salinan people are the only people with the right to climb it. Near the end of the trail, I spotted this gentleman in dark clothes, seemingly extending a blessing. He stayed there for several minutes - maybe a lot more. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QTQ7-VTiVTc/Xq4RDFTpyaI/AAAAAAAIN9w/OpqigLa8j58VlI1JPsOKsPnlXb5kdJuAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QTQ7-VTiVTc/Xq4RDFTpyaI/AAAAAAAIN9w/OpqigLa8j58VlI1JPsOKsPnlXb5kdJuAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01520.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man, possibly praying</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zpOzPLRKKAA/Xq4RDgCxphI/AAAAAAAIN94/q-ErpJUglW4cx_5FYj3UVDetjw4hKJS2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zpOzPLRKKAA/Xq4RDgCxphI/AAAAAAAIN94/q-ErpJUglW4cx_5FYj3UVDetjw4hKJS2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01530.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A water color picture of the amazing fragmented rocks - and praying man</td></tr>
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The rock was quarried and some of it became this breakwater. I couldn't get a good picture because the fog was rolling in by the time I got to this spot, near the end of the trail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8R-NLYhpaeQ/Xq4eMTplhHI/AAAAAAAIN-w/3iU-nKKvpko25K0_NgM35rzRCWEXy5arwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_dcd5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8R-NLYhpaeQ/Xq4eMTplhHI/AAAAAAAIN-w/3iU-nKKvpko25K0_NgM35rzRCWEXy5arwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_dcd5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Fishing boats started to come back in through the now thick fog, looking more like drawings than actual boats. Using the watercolor setting improved the very washed out pictures a bit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IjRcSvYFnvk/Xq4RDmb9jgI/AAAAAAAIN90/uwMyMRdcRgwhDN9tGanVxOm54xbPDxqsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IjRcSvYFnvk/Xq4RDmb9jgI/AAAAAAAIN90/uwMyMRdcRgwhDN9tGanVxOm54xbPDxqsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01535.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishing craft</td></tr>
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I was interested in the different plants quite high up on the rock.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hEkW62cJV4A/Xq4eNCm0H1I/AAAAAAAIN-8/4oBN_p5S8kEsh0Cc25OCiYWg12QZrvkDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/g0h8Up7sRvKjabZ7EOTA4Q_thumb_dcee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hEkW62cJV4A/Xq4eNCm0H1I/AAAAAAAIN-8/4oBN_p5S8kEsh0Cc25OCiYWg12QZrvkDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/g0h8Up7sRvKjabZ7EOTA4Q_thumb_dcee.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This patch of yellow blooming plants made a nice contrast to the rock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvT01auDQVk/Xq4lWQrY4lI/AAAAAAAIN_U/ytIha0lXxG8uEJ0XW-noNWxXhGnmqa2DwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvT01auDQVk/Xq4lWQrY4lI/AAAAAAAIN_U/ytIha0lXxG8uEJ0XW-noNWxXhGnmqa2DwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01502.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A succulent growing maybe one hundred feet up. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLubV0EdB-w/Xq4REJ8o8wI/AAAAAAAIN98/qk7dVcubyHMQyCij3hDaIYstyphIOaVkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLubV0EdB-w/Xq4REJ8o8wI/AAAAAAAIN98/qk7dVcubyHMQyCij3hDaIYstyphIOaVkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01575.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I caught sight of this group riding along the beach from the north and ran to get pictures</td></tr>
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Today, Saturday, Cindy and I filled up her gas tank and went out to see what we could see. She wanted to check out some of her favorite places in Moro Bay. The best stop was at the Moro Coast Audubon Society Sweet Springs Nature Preserve. There we got a view of Morro Rock from the south west. We also enjoyed a few birds, including a mother mallard with babies, green wing teal, and and a great horned owl.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cXJFdUJ84T4/Xq4Q3hRX5KI/AAAAAAAIN8o/g1w1t4PEJb0OYJ00mM20RUdRNUUMsgNRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cXJFdUJ84T4/Xq4Q3hRX5KI/AAAAAAAIN8o/g1w1t4PEJb0OYJ00mM20RUdRNUUMsgNRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00146.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morro Rock from the Audubon Sanctuary</td></tr>
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Today I saw the most cars on California highways, but the people are staying dispersed on the beaches and trails. Hopefully we will be able to get out and enjoy the the beautiful places around here. It certainly is keeping me happy and sane.<br />
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Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-68597258891213195702020-04-30T17:20:00.000-05:002020-04-30T17:39:23.535-05:00Morro Rock - Getting There<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have passed Morro Rock and attempted to take it's picture from Montana de Oro State Park, but finally set it as a destination. Cindy said I should attempt my first views of it from Hwy 46. Still working on that. But I've made it to the actual walk to, and partially around the rock twice. I'll save that for another blog. Here are some of what makes a 46 minute trip take 3-4 hours. And why you can never actually experience the same trip twice.<br />
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The first time I ALMOST got to Morro Rock, I found the sun too bright and the people too populous. But I did spend some time enjoying the sea otters.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fY8XeJ_NLRg/XqtMUE30rbI/AAAAAAAIN70/FOirMbH2Tyksq99xHyRdhy-3x72oWIeiACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fY8XeJ_NLRg/XqtMUE30rbI/AAAAAAAIN70/FOirMbH2Tyksq99xHyRdhy-3x72oWIeiACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00712.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grooming tail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9abJvwZIjk/XqtMU7iyr3I/AAAAAAAIN74/Ely3iBNENR8HQ3wlepP1Y7aBB6cDRAvwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9abJvwZIjk/XqtMU7iyr3I/AAAAAAAIN74/Ely3iBNENR8HQ3wlepP1Y7aBB6cDRAvwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00738.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a nap</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_LCg23VDHf8/XqtMU3MAVCI/AAAAAAAIN78/UCxuDvESHEMnJYAig-KBxO4w5NYAXrMKACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_LCg23VDHf8/XqtMU3MAVCI/AAAAAAAIN78/UCxuDvESHEMnJYAig-KBxO4w5NYAXrMKACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00740.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunching on sea urchins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1lA7wcdH8Dg/XqtMVkKZLZI/AAAAAAAIN8A/RX1OrjGNkw0fsnwxfqcgt9Vq9196aqf7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1lA7wcdH8Dg/XqtMVkKZLZI/AAAAAAAIN8A/RX1OrjGNkw0fsnwxfqcgt9Vq9196aqf7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00752.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom and really big baby - most are born between November and March</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJ4nE8epq14/XqtBXU49mxI/AAAAAAAIN7o/Ttui86CENKQ090MYQyws2m1a_lI6O_k3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJ4nE8epq14/XqtBXU49mxI/AAAAAAAIN7o/Ttui86CENKQ090MYQyws2m1a_lI6O_k3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00841.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Highway 46 - First try</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TWltnLRSgi8/XqtBXMCA4fI/AAAAAAAIN7k/EAP9bq219zsZX1B0Nw1tTvlPySY9NScfACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TWltnLRSgi8/XqtBXMCA4fI/AAAAAAAIN7k/EAP9bq219zsZX1B0Nw1tTvlPySY9NScfACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00844.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Started earlier and had a little fog and lower sun the second day</td></tr>
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After I turned onto Highway 1, things got a lot tougher. I stopped for redwing blackbirds singing in tall, yellow blooming mustard. I stopped for scenic views. And I stopped to explore trails, and take pictures of yards I passed. I finally took a hike on the beach.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vjm369u1Q1s/Xqs-3BQuQaI/AAAAAAAIN5A/vTYXTGX3NIsiCTXWpaVF_F9uOJ1kAdX-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vjm369u1Q1s/Xqs-3BQuQaI/AAAAAAAIN5A/vTYXTGX3NIsiCTXWpaVF_F9uOJ1kAdX-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00876.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea side windmill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7cD0eGj2Bw/Xqs-20KS5jI/AAAAAAAIN48/zmpqwnJuULUDhbxAy8ieZIAko1RC57S6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7cD0eGj2Bw/Xqs-20KS5jI/AAAAAAAIN48/zmpqwnJuULUDhbxAy8ieZIAko1RC57S6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00887.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A red-tailed hawk surveying his domain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z65QCUUF5sg/Xqs-3L6DV-I/AAAAAAAIN5E/NCSPax7rPKY-pahEVSp-tTeDWWIjsUtRACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z65QCUUF5sg/Xqs-3L6DV-I/AAAAAAAIN5E/NCSPax7rPKY-pahEVSp-tTeDWWIjsUtRACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00890.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fishing pier</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJpmLAW7W9k/Xqs-3o3q2TI/AAAAAAAIN5I/KthD9fqs9KsYC_esOuNmmitYPVBKd2qXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJpmLAW7W9k/Xqs-3o3q2TI/AAAAAAAIN5I/KthD9fqs9KsYC_esOuNmmitYPVBKd2qXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00920.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A drainage meeting the see - accidentally took only in my watercolor setting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPt1Kkreszw/Xqs-4_jaqlI/AAAAAAAIN5Q/MjOztb6TUsoMNaL1YVXQ0Bj6a6RMiQkswCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01053%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPt1Kkreszw/Xqs-4_jaqlI/AAAAAAAIN5Q/MjOztb6TUsoMNaL1YVXQ0Bj6a6RMiQkswCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01053%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whimbrel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbled godwit</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2SKNPlxEd_Y/Xqs-4bIeM7I/AAAAAAAIN5M/3gAqYJNXRhsNt5Mwq4Yo-PnwZUV-tUraQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2SKNPlxEd_Y/Xqs-4bIeM7I/AAAAAAAIN5M/3gAqYJNXRhsNt5Mwq4Yo-PnwZUV-tUraQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01006.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another accident - took picture of rock from beach with wildflower setting<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surfers spooked the marbled godwits<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morro Rock was much more photogenic the second day - and I got my camera settings right</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Gulls are the MOST numerous - I wondered what this one was yelling about....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAiwFxdV9vY/Xqs-_kezf4I/AAAAAAAIN58/ju4e704vW30iOlV3MHE0dq-tqpkfip06wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01227%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAiwFxdV9vY/Xqs-_kezf4I/AAAAAAAIN58/ju4e704vW30iOlV3MHE0dq-tqpkfip06wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01227%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Guess he was calling for dinner....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yztpO_faLe0/Xqs_Aen2xtI/AAAAAAAIN6A/p_4qASID51wuBpI3riH4WM5OsKRG6zjUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01230%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="929" data-original-width="1600" height="370" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yztpO_faLe0/Xqs_Aen2xtI/AAAAAAAIN6A/p_4qASID51wuBpI3riH4WM5OsKRG6zjUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01230%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....then had to carry it off to drop on a hard place....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gb_gUZA8F9M/Xqs-8xeJHfI/AAAAAAAIN5s/wtyNFbaR2Lgim9eZHS4om-djhIlSHs5wACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1600" height="490" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gb_gUZA8F9M/Xqs-8xeJHfI/AAAAAAAIN5s/wtyNFbaR2Lgim9eZHS4om-djhIlSHs5wACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01116.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was trying to get an art picture of flowers when this butterfly came along - forget to change settings. </td></tr>
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And then I explored the rock. .... to be continued.<br />
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Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-14553828171122378562020-04-26T17:33:00.001-05:002020-04-26T17:40:33.989-05:00Back to Carrizo Plain National Park<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Cindy and I love to photograph wildflowers so decided to go looking for them for our Saturday outing. We started at Shell Creek Road, which is only about 40 minutes away. We got lots of pictures, but I plan to go back to look for bees when they are easier to photograph and the light is more conducive to getting better pictures. Shao I'll save those pictures for now.<br />
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When we had pretty much exhausted the views/flowers, and the place was rapidly getting too crowed to feel safe, we decided to continue on to Carrizo Plains National Wildlife Refuge. We had been there before, and I loved it, but Cindy was sad that it didn't equal the superbloom of the year before. We had not made it all the way to the south end of the monument and a few weeks had passed and we could expect to find new wildflowers and beautiful scenes.<br />
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We were not disappointed. We had much wider view here of wildflowers, and saw new species of wildflowers in bloom. We ended up enjoying nature here for about six hours, never coming within twenty feet of other people. Our spirits were raised and I'm sure we boosted our immunity system.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hit the jackpot after we arrived in the area we hadn't explored last time</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CKd9dKCNeEY/XqXlPQYXCGI/AAAAAAAIN0k/vUEDyBG2McoY4XR_6V6A0f8Al8BeI3IAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="1600" height="178" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CKd9dKCNeEY/XqXlPQYXCGI/AAAAAAAIN0k/vUEDyBG2McoY4XR_6V6A0f8Al8BeI3IAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0275.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a panoramic of a particularly beautiful landscape from a side road</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b6lVEn_9vv4/XqYCEyEtrwI/AAAAAAAIN2g/xgWTpB8HS7ExHshXq5NH9d81ahIJWhwzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/_D751626%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1177" height="444" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b6lVEn_9vv4/XqYCEyEtrwI/AAAAAAAIN2g/xgWTpB8HS7ExHshXq5NH9d81ahIJWhwzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/_D751626%2Bcopy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Spent a lot of time worshipping on my knees</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PxOpXlfmAoc/XqXlNImf56I/AAAAAAAIN0Y/MqY45MFbKVYDwS5eCvI6M8So_DkSSI-XgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1600" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PxOpXlfmAoc/XqXlNImf56I/AAAAAAAIN0Y/MqY45MFbKVYDwS5eCvI6M8So_DkSSI-XgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0278.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I haven't identified this - it may be introduced but was plentiful</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foreground plants are thistle sage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_OWsfkpMXCA/XqXlO5del7I/AAAAAAAIN0g/Bxp2huYDqhwdoWBxyJWywrqAPVu_BZULQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1192" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_OWsfkpMXCA/XqXlO5del7I/AAAAAAAIN0g/Bxp2huYDqhwdoWBxyJWywrqAPVu_BZULQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0300.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #757575;">Tansy Phacelia (</span><i style="background-color: white; color: #757575;">Phacelia tanacetifolia</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #757575;">)</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYHtZS6R0Mk/XqXlRO9yc9I/AAAAAAAIN0w/oK3bekU4wVoFVTSFHiGFk9mzQMKWDbWkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYHtZS6R0Mk/XqXlRO9yc9I/AAAAAAAIN0w/oK3bekU4wVoFVTSFHiGFk9mzQMKWDbWkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_6274.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #757575;">Purple Owl's Clover (</span><i style="background-color: white; color: #757575;">Castilleja exserta</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #757575;">)</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qd1_HdA39XY/XqXlQCsKrhI/AAAAAAAIN0s/xId8K5QYmckdBLk_nbhiaMrP9spC92XpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qd1_HdA39XY/XqXlQCsKrhI/AAAAAAAIN0s/xId8K5QYmckdBLk_nbhiaMrP9spC92XpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_6278.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Common Hillside Daisy, (Monolopia lanceolata)</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lUCReyMgMbM/XqXlRz5uNoI/AAAAAAAIN00/bTFak8Z3q3Ef5OzyF4D2XZBFy5bC93wQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lUCReyMgMbM/XqXlRz5uNoI/AAAAAAAIN00/bTFak8Z3q3Ef5OzyF4D2XZBFy5bC93wQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_6279.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the views we spent a LOT of time appreciating - and attempting to capture</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ak9MC9Y5_zQ/XqXlSiaPCfI/AAAAAAAIN04/-EZvg186D1UTxbEgXkqERWjvHDHvRLjJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ak9MC9Y5_zQ/XqXlSiaPCfI/AAAAAAAIN04/-EZvg186D1UTxbEgXkqERWjvHDHvRLjJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_6284.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late afternoon brought a few clouds - and made us search for landscapes enhanced by them</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PDj4ZPQq-ZY/XqXlTkQiapI/AAAAAAAIN08/7JDykN_JwqYqdWgcrE8AdhEhc_ouO1VrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PDj4ZPQq-ZY/XqXlTkQiapI/AAAAAAAIN08/7JDykN_JwqYqdWgcrE8AdhEhc_ouO1VrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_6302.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lark sparrow - birds are breeding and secretive - but this is an importing bird site</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bOhWPXVIk44/XqXlUSwIcXI/AAAAAAAIN1A/9uGJGZv7knku3-E17zEGCaa-JGm7l6DRACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bOhWPXVIk44/XqXlUSwIcXI/AAAAAAAIN1A/9uGJGZv7knku3-E17zEGCaa-JGm7l6DRACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_6303.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple owl's clover, (<span class="taxon taxon-49343 species Plantae" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #73ac13; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.4px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 160px;"><span class="othernames" style="border: 0px; color: #888888; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.52px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="sciname" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="name comname" href="https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/49343-Castilleja-exserta" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #73ac13; display: inline !important; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Castilleja exserta</a>)</span></span></span> surrounded by California goldfields<span style="color: #888888;"><span style="font-size: 11.52px;">, </span></span><a class="name comname" href="https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/50987-Lasthenia-californica" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #73ac13; display: inline !important; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14.4px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="taxon taxon-50987 species Plantae" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 160px;"><span class="othernames" style="border: 0px; color: #888888; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.52px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(<span class="sciname" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lasthenia californica</span>)</span></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sS6t9FMSc3w/XqXlUwH1akI/AAAAAAAIN1E/ClE8BtNXQwQ0SJC1RJ2korc8BCBeun-KACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sS6t9FMSc3w/XqXlUwH1akI/AAAAAAAIN1E/ClE8BtNXQwQ0SJC1RJ2korc8BCBeun-KACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_6313.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view - with clouds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sY3MtX-cMp4/XqXlVprzw3I/AAAAAAAIN1I/sXXJiSFzeik07MKbcUHCpjb6BBRXhkivwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sY3MtX-cMp4/XqXlVprzw3I/AAAAAAAIN1I/sXXJiSFzeik07MKbcUHCpjb6BBRXhkivwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_6317.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still figuring this out - we only saw a few examples of it - please comment if you know</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TPW-Gi6wNw/XqXlXD3Z5SI/AAAAAAAIN1M/FglGdIzUlgUFBIkM99_IR-XHjplJTk1ggCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TPW-Gi6wNw/XqXlXD3Z5SI/AAAAAAAIN1M/FglGdIzUlgUFBIkM99_IR-XHjplJTk1ggCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_6338.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved nature's composition of thistle sage and fiddleneck flowers - click <a href="https://granadanativegarden.org/2016/02/07/fiddleneck-what-good-is-it/" target="_blank">here</a><br />
for a very interesting article on this seemingly weedy flower</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4tJHnyrFww/XqXlXW2XdBI/AAAAAAAIN1U/W72TuMx9S6U9t7AseDTo-7GZEmPFx9hJACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4tJHnyrFww/XqXlXW2XdBI/AAAAAAAIN1U/W72TuMx9S6U9t7AseDTo-7GZEmPFx9hJACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_6349.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closeup of a highly armed sage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ieLnb5yqP64/XqXlYtgzUMI/AAAAAAAIN1Y/P_9iIUEVj9EhfyhUNc5rTWJsLLPknqVOACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ieLnb5yqP64/XqXlYtgzUMI/AAAAAAAIN1Y/P_9iIUEVj9EhfyhUNc5rTWJsLLPknqVOACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_6354.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got really excited when this cloud started making - but it never lived up to its promise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-52XhXcJkQnI/XqXlZr5-b0I/AAAAAAAIN1c/E6a2yA4PCO8tVjHiVBu564DUZpO-PjWQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1393" data-original-width="1600" height="556" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-52XhXcJkQnI/XqXlZr5-b0I/AAAAAAAIN1c/E6a2yA4PCO8tVjHiVBu564DUZpO-PjWQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_6358.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Seed head of silverpuffs - probably Uropappus lindleyi</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A telescopic view of an interesting juxtaposed planting. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">This little range runs very near the San Andreas Fault</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hope for more friends of this cloud, but didn't get them</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LGh4Bp6z6Q8/XqXldfNBIWI/AAAAAAAIN1w/IGikgY7eCa4g9N53_FfZlsZkU1z1xNVWwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LGh4Bp6z6Q8/XqXldfNBIWI/AAAAAAAIN1w/IGikgY7eCa4g9N53_FfZlsZkU1z1xNVWwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_6390.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ever better - but what IS that white spec? ....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UeS2-wh2f2Q/XqXleI9fa3I/AAAAAAAIN10/8gfOWKZjGuk5CdVO_1Sb48tAxyi8R3OygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UeS2-wh2f2Q/XqXleI9fa3I/AAAAAAAIN10/8gfOWKZjGuk5CdVO_1Sb48tAxyi8R3OygCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_6395.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....I apparently was providing entertainment to this ground squirrel</td></tr>
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Carrizo Plain encompasses 180,000 acres and is managed by the BLM and partners. Currently you can even camp there, but ONLY in dispersed camping. Many such camping places have a little side road to keep you out of traffic, and I saw some where people had built and left fire rings. We saw several camping groups enjoying social distancing. And they are keeping the restrooms open and clean. We even found hand sanitizer. And we bring our own disinfectant wipes so we can wipe down the door handles and know we are not bringing infections home. </div>
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Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-51060472997556838612020-04-19T00:30:00.000-05:002020-04-19T00:30:06.603-05:00Visiti to Montana de Oro State Park<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Thursday, April 16, 2020</i></span><br />
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Thursday was supposed to be a partly cloudy day, so I decided to do several hours of exploring. I planned to head directly to Montana de Oro State Park and check to see what parts I could access, then explore on the way back home. The day was shortened by early morning clouds and fog, so I got off to a very late start, around 8:00 A.M. I drove under a mix of clouds, sun, and fog/haze with a few stops to check out trails and Moro Bay State Park.The park was closed at the highway, and I didn't know how far I would have to walk to enjoy the beach, so I left it for another day.<br />
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I got to the Morro Bay area as the day was brightening, but with a lot of fog left. I threw away about thirty pictures of the first great view - a look across to Morro Rock, which is very colorful in the sun. But it disappeared into the mist in the early pictures. I finally got a better view of it as I was leaving the park in the early afternoon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morro Rock with the mist behaving better</td></tr>
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I spent the first hour or so, climbing on the vegetated dunes, looking for wildflowers. I'd look around, then drive down the road and stop again at another pull off. I found a trail all the way down to the beach and took it down and back, with many stops for photographs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shrub was abundant and just coming into bloom</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVEYLJ8i86c/XpuDQSRYAsI/AAAAAAAILOc/ro77ypwhpikiLiwDySC66pO6L-vIt9-TQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1161" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVEYLJ8i86c/XpuDQSRYAsI/AAAAAAAILOc/ro77ypwhpikiLiwDySC66pO6L-vIt9-TQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
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My hike was interspersed with lots of stops to take pictures of flowers and plants, birds, views, and a lizard.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice plant bud</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ak8pReYVBFQ/XpuDiSTIWfI/AAAAAAAILQE/wkqx1G68Y6IpbehXhUi9Vlh_UIM-d8IEACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ak8pReYVBFQ/XpuDiSTIWfI/AAAAAAAILQE/wkqx1G68Y6IpbehXhUi9Vlh_UIM-d8IEACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bold chipping sparrow let me take his picture from about twelve feet away</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another unknown</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvKQEDbUETc/XpuDSmofx-I/AAAAAAAILOo/pHtxnVXAa8cl1Q1Uy-N3NmBxYcB1jqibgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvKQEDbUETc/XpuDSmofx-I/AAAAAAAILOo/pHtxnVXAa8cl1Q1Uy-N3NmBxYcB1jqibgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%252812%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">This shrub was already making fruit, kind of a cross between an apple and an acorn </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zg_GzE0UZMA/XpuDg8SDVuI/AAAAAAAILP8/H0EWUKVkogcwZ7r61JGZMwNorD6-XFr2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1252" data-original-width="1600" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zg_GzE0UZMA/XpuDg8SDVuI/AAAAAAAILP8/H0EWUKVkogcwZ7r61JGZMwNorD6-XFr2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saw my first bumblebee of the season but couldn't f capture it. This is one mean looking fly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p232VEfbk6Q/XpuDcohVOII/AAAAAAAILPk/KOkKjm9NXtUlmAhh5o6SxV0TU-sF9wcWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%252826%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p232VEfbk6Q/XpuDcohVOII/AAAAAAAILPk/KOkKjm9NXtUlmAhh5o6SxV0TU-sF9wcWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%252826%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the only one of this species I saw. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-giq3AV8a8Xk/XpuDhA1nkNI/AAAAAAAILQA/KJm2J-U7i4cauFvD8cfTGOhtFioiLLCkACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="1600" height="344" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-giq3AV8a8Xk/XpuDhA1nkNI/AAAAAAAILQA/KJm2J-U7i4cauFvD8cfTGOhtFioiLLCkACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Spooner's cove from a pullout above it ....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6r-glgOj2_g/XpuDZxjULrI/AAAAAAAILPU/VIVSat3MVB8IZKbo8-DQC2BCjjfFJdlUACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%252822%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6r-glgOj2_g/XpuDZxjULrI/AAAAAAAILPU/VIVSat3MVB8IZKbo8-DQC2BCjjfFJdlUACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%252822%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...And from the parking lot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-89A2HsUuM-c/XpuDYOAkGtI/AAAAAAAILPI/PxMyrrKX7oUs1MXVgbGv-bXpIhgPAkr4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-89A2HsUuM-c/XpuDYOAkGtI/AAAAAAAILPI/PxMyrrKX7oUs1MXVgbGv-bXpIhgPAkr4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">I never knew Nasturtiums could be invasive until I started exploring the central California coast</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kMtmAVWjI4Y/XpuDercCbHI/AAAAAAAILPs/XuTUjNvZ1Ec0Rj8zF8lMOTc9MauXLf6JwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kMtmAVWjI4Y/XpuDercCbHI/AAAAAAAILPs/XuTUjNvZ1Ec0Rj8zF8lMOTc9MauXLf6JwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">This could be poison hemlock - comment if you know<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Jkacu3tC10/XpuVJBNZtQI/AAAAAAAILTY/V4kOblF6n-4TyyoY69urNghxN61x9WUUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Jkacu3tC10/XpuVJBNZtQI/AAAAAAAILTY/V4kOblF6n-4TyyoY69urNghxN61x9WUUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%252817%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a plant that looked as though it should be in a landscaped yard </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach morning glory</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DfnLujvg8Fo/XpuDaeQnbRI/AAAAAAAILPc/rWvZdcQSs5MQf7KkkbwyR7orHGeAJgaGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%252824%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DfnLujvg8Fo/XpuDaeQnbRI/AAAAAAAILPc/rWvZdcQSs5MQf7KkkbwyR7orHGeAJgaGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%252824%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of two adjacent un vegetated sand dunes</td></tr>
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I didn't go any further on the road - but Cindy says I need to go back and explore further. I also found I can hike 2-6 miles along some fantastic volcanic rocks in the bay and view and listen to a sinkhole. It is only about an hour away, with no stops, so it will stay in my Bucket List.<br />
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I started back across the bay, stopping to take the bear dressed in PPE with a sign thanking essential workers for their service. I had to go past it to a turn off to another road to find a place to park. The road looked way to interesting and beautiful to not explore so I went down it for a few miles. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear dressed up to thank essential workers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouds got better in the early afternoon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many beautiful views along the side road</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those green, green hills</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AFyY-gXSFEA/XpuDY6hfBiI/AAAAAAAILPQ/TwPTmodGI90-8aYH4bgkQ_EsdTtly51HQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%252821%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AFyY-gXSFEA/XpuDY6hfBiI/AAAAAAAILPQ/TwPTmodGI90-8aYH4bgkQ_EsdTtly51HQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Montana%2Bde%2BOro%2B%252821%2529.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lupine has had lots of bee visits - the red spots are on flowers that have been pollinated</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People were few and usually found singly or in family groups</td></tr>
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Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-53327170334242481292020-04-12T20:19:00.000-05:002020-04-13T10:02:51.443-05:00A Visit to Fiscalini Ranch Preserve<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>April 3, 2020</i></span><br />
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I often prefer to explore by just going out and following my nose. On my first day exploring, Cindy suggested I drive over to Highway 1 and explore my way along it. So I did and went north. to San Simeon. I turned at the first sign that said ocean access and continued to take roads going west from Hwy 1. The first place I came to had a lot of people walking and was right on the ocean. But it was cold and I needed to find a restroom before hiking so went on.<br />
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I also like to research places to visit and Cindy suggested I visit Fiscalini Ranch Preserve as it has several miles of hiking trails. So I used a map and tried to find it. I ended up at the rodeo grounds and the dog park, so tried again. This time, I found the original place I had thought about hiking, but I wanted the real McCoy, so continued on. I went to a community park, that now had all the parking closed, so I drove down to street to a more primitive parking area and found a trailhead that was actually in the park. I picked up a park brochure and found I had been at three of the four edges of the park and the fourth was the Pacific ocean.<br />
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I wanted to get down to the beach and knew there was a creek running to the ocean very near where I was parked, so I walked north into an opening in the woods that I thought was a trail. If if had been, the trail had been completely overgrown by an invasive vine. But the opening was a great place for birds and I enjoyed a foraging wren and this song sparrow who was singing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JsIHlRTzrgU/XpOkynZykvI/AAAAAAAILK4/msyxqsgZ8sYwvxsW9PM2V5r5ahR74kfDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JsIHlRTzrgU/XpOkynZykvI/AAAAAAAILK4/msyxqsgZ8sYwvxsW9PM2V5r5ahR74kfDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00157.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Song sparrow</td></tr>
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I continued along the edge of the road back to the community park and then walked along the creek. One killdeer tried to lure me from her nest and others seemed to be sitting on theirs, although I didn't disturb them so am not sure. But then I almost stepped on a group of snowy plovers that may be planning to nest together in the gravelly sand. I enjoyed the beach area for about an hour, sharing it with only a handful of walkers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBHbKfbWmkI/XpOkz1ashHI/AAAAAAAILK8/i4S9uY_dJ9EWSyv9YO8sFvAeuCYf0NVzACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBHbKfbWmkI/XpOkz1ashHI/AAAAAAAILK8/i4S9uY_dJ9EWSyv9YO8sFvAeuCYf0NVzACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00164.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nesting killdeer?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-40nLUvJv2o0/XpOk2FeVB1I/AAAAAAAILLE/_tWdmtskZlIpMTTd57v2JpBz_-EVuoOmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-40nLUvJv2o0/XpOk2FeVB1I/AAAAAAAILLE/_tWdmtskZlIpMTTd57v2JpBz_-EVuoOmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00175.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy plovers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TPQ0Ci6lSJE/XpOk03-tJdI/AAAAAAAILLA/nzDv2aEC3Gob1MulWF0G8xi66FPZf0UGACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1234" data-original-width="1600" height="492" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TPQ0Ci6lSJE/XpOk03-tJdI/AAAAAAAILLA/nzDv2aEC3Gob1MulWF0G8xi66FPZf0UGACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00176.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy plover close up </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_tI23tCnbnw/XpOk2iMUb1I/AAAAAAAILLM/LBv_ezN2FBAP4wP5pZruDfY_RcFjKZgrACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_tI23tCnbnw/XpOk2iMUb1I/AAAAAAAILLM/LBv_ezN2FBAP4wP5pZruDfY_RcFjKZgrACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00183.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View across creek to San Simeon State Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9QCj4epk0ng/XpOk2Zz1dhI/AAAAAAAILLI/t8UZ3vuezn8JFbftTmZMgadXjA0kyAFlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1600" height="406" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9QCj4epk0ng/XpOk2Zz1dhI/AAAAAAAILLI/t8UZ3vuezn8JFbftTmZMgadXjA0kyAFlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00189.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this is a ruddy turnstone in a hurry</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eHxZPOcK5_4/XpOk4MNIwqI/AAAAAAAILLU/o4ut7IPPVUkt-Okj7Ug0jrREdGSJESclgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eHxZPOcK5_4/XpOk4MNIwqI/AAAAAAAILLU/o4ut7IPPVUkt-Okj7Ug0jrREdGSJESclgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00191.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think these are California gulls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CSCgxWGZq1Y/XpOk30WBDrI/AAAAAAAILLQ/aGv_qTmgWeIfpk8YADb6TuPDIzRcqVpfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="1600" height="496" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CSCgxWGZq1Y/XpOk30WBDrI/AAAAAAAILLQ/aGv_qTmgWeIfpk8YADb6TuPDIzRcqVpfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00206.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A group of sanderlings were feeding in a little cove in the creek</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxl0efh__4U/XpOk4i9iS4I/AAAAAAAILLY/dhISch1_qdABqboV5whOuUF-pW4mVv7uwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxl0efh__4U/XpOk4i9iS4I/AAAAAAAILLY/dhISch1_qdABqboV5whOuUF-pW4mVv7uwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00224.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view looking south along the beach</td></tr>
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I cut back through the park to the road and walked back to the car. There, in a yard, I found the largest succulents I've ever seen - these were dinner plated size.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8D2veb4BoQ/XpOk5-Pm9yI/AAAAAAAILLk/R85vr_tZFUEwlAz8hGMnefqNCbwN6SDWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8D2veb4BoQ/XpOk5-Pm9yI/AAAAAAAILLk/R85vr_tZFUEwlAz8hGMnefqNCbwN6SDWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00230.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner plate sized succulents on the road back to the car.<br />
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Finally at mid morning - after several hours of driving and the beach walk, I started on the Santa Rosa Creek entrance which was a riparian area and woods. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Oz65zThg5g/XpOk5kLhcOI/AAAAAAAILLc/4sKO5tboqEgv7OWxke0-irpKsOG7CiYOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Oz65zThg5g/XpOk5kLhcOI/AAAAAAAILLc/4sKO5tboqEgv7OWxke0-irpKsOG7CiYOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00233.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this may be wood sorrel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N3i7Z7xL08w/XpOk5yFTstI/AAAAAAAILLg/WU9pYgLByJoq1UmZNVYY-k-VpyDTgFbqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1175" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N3i7Z7xL08w/XpOk5yFTstI/AAAAAAAILLg/WU9pYgLByJoq1UmZNVYY-k-VpyDTgFbqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00238.jpg" width="470" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A western towhee flew into a little bower to feed on tree buds or blooms</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwKFRw30Tes/XpOk6S3fTRI/AAAAAAAILLo/TUgMkXqx8Z0m9mbf2lP-VfGDplMvtSdbACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwKFRw30Tes/XpOk6S3fTRI/AAAAAAAILLo/TUgMkXqx8Z0m9mbf2lP-VfGDplMvtSdbACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00256.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dull California towee stayed in a patch of shade so I couldn't get a decent picture of him</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nk59spaaVBk/XpOk7We9FwI/AAAAAAAILLs/mhTgvlS-Xg0O8ub3Qg0bBS89gEa_DFNAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nk59spaaVBk/XpOk7We9FwI/AAAAAAAILLs/mhTgvlS-Xg0O8ub3Qg0bBS89gEa_DFNAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00259.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trees were waking up and putting out leaves</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zinplbebFjU/XpOk8gFx0nI/AAAAAAAILL0/qBl7rA91ieEed19hoAsJA5x4Upq9-J4DACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zinplbebFjU/XpOk8gFx0nI/AAAAAAAILL0/qBl7rA91ieEed19hoAsJA5x4Upq9-J4DACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00263.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In some places, the trees made almost a tunnel</td></tr>
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The trail went up hill and came through more open land, containing some remains of the old ranceh buldings then opened up on the top of a hill of prairie land leading down to the pacific. I walked along the ridge for a while, until I was almost as far south as I could go. Then I took a series of trails down to the southwest corner and then took the now one way trail along the ocean. This trail gets the most use, so it has been made one way with a trail just above it being two way. Connecting trails have been made wider so we can stay six feet apart while passing. It is so nice to be in a state that values nature, outside recreation and public safety and lets us have them all.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windswept</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nqd9FqZ2_hQ/XpOk8skw8NI/AAAAAAAILL4/g_ySf5YjBSQayEQ8Lvt221qhBfb3fJE-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nqd9FqZ2_hQ/XpOk8skw8NI/AAAAAAAILL4/g_ySf5YjBSQayEQ8Lvt221qhBfb3fJE-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00283.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening primrose</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BdParK7o3yM/XpOlFN5OuHI/AAAAAAAILMc/6nMloPCEK9oO2g6OgQy4NWvmuOPR8xUSACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BdParK7o3yM/XpOlFN5OuHI/AAAAAAAILMc/6nMloPCEK9oO2g6OgQy4NWvmuOPR8xUSACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00336.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western morning glory? Some flowers were all white</td></tr>
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There were lots more people on the trails along the ocean, but they were one -way so we didn't get close, and there were little trails down to the tidal pools and benches as well. So I wandered alone and took more pictures. I did notice a seal just as it swam away so I didn't get a picture of it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rGiunXS4cZU/XpOk9zFkE-I/AAAAAAAILL8/uEkcuui5dAsygqsU3bgWsK-5KVZ3IAesgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rGiunXS4cZU/XpOk9zFkE-I/AAAAAAAILL8/uEkcuui5dAsygqsU3bgWsK-5KVZ3IAesgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00293.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gulls and cormorants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OqR95CdTtUg/XpOk_qBkR0I/AAAAAAAILME/orX7iB2X2O4vFUrhEI-8DAu12xiJrsbgACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OqR95CdTtUg/XpOk_qBkR0I/AAAAAAAILME/orX7iB2X2O4vFUrhEI-8DAu12xiJrsbgACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00296.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rustic bench currently being used by Brewer's blackbirds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4N85o8Tdho/XpOk_n7MUfI/AAAAAAAILMA/M--efFL8VNw5UAVaHRBG8mpxNd6oVWX0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4N85o8Tdho/XpOk_n7MUfI/AAAAAAAILMA/M--efFL8VNw5UAVaHRBG8mpxNd6oVWX0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00306.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California gull landing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f3KBUSYN_5U/XpOlBPtKNZI/AAAAAAAILMI/imXk4s8VePkKsPc39QF8eZuRSkHZ0yz2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f3KBUSYN_5U/XpOlBPtKNZI/AAAAAAAILMI/imXk4s8VePkKsPc39QF8eZuRSkHZ0yz2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00310.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sides of the bluff were sometimes covered in colorful plants or left bare</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1oH_ePQ-oI/XpOlDDTNiYI/AAAAAAAILMU/unRgd_xjDVQUb9VqeI8_iTUUu3QHPw1RACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1oH_ePQ-oI/XpOlDDTNiYI/AAAAAAAILMU/unRgd_xjDVQUb9VqeI8_iTUUu3QHPw1RACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00321.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seaside fleabane</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nw0IpyCzWtg/XpOlDPKFShI/AAAAAAAILMM/R1zIT5LtZ8IZ3gum8hm7nzz8UKAqca5fQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nw0IpyCzWtg/XpOlDPKFShI/AAAAAAAILMM/R1zIT5LtZ8IZ3gum8hm7nzz8UKAqca5fQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00322.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh those colors</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White crowned sparrow - one of the most common birds, including at our feeder</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GwD7snYU9E/XpOlFDnxK0I/AAAAAAAILMg/ExXmg0j-yP4eopvry1f9zGQEPQ1aDmJVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GwD7snYU9E/XpOlFDnxK0I/AAAAAAAILMg/ExXmg0j-yP4eopvry1f9zGQEPQ1aDmJVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00324.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Southeast entrance </td></tr>
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The most touching thing happened as I was leaving the ranch and walking down the road shown above. I heard lots of honking, then saw about thirty cars pulling on to this road from a side road. The drivers - usually one per car with a few dogs were honking and waving. They I read the signs taped to the cars and realized it was an impromptu parade of teachers trying to make their students feel better. It brought tears to my eyes. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the thirty teachers making up a parade to drive by their student's houses. </td></tr>
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Happy Easter - I hope you found joy in this day in spite of our war against the Coronavirus. </div>
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Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-79645917552731418182020-04-05T13:23:00.000-05:002020-04-05T18:24:39.277-05:00A Visit to Carrizo Plain National Monument<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>Saturday, April 4, 2020</i></div>
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Cindy had wonderful memories of visiting Carrizo Plain National Monument last year, when it supported a super bloom. She wanted to go back and visit there again for her Saturday outing. We knew it had the public parts closed so there would be relatively few people in the area, with 250,000 acres to spread out in. Indeed, we saw only a few other vehicles before 10:30 A.M. And lest then twenty- five over the course of the day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horned lark- one of the abundant species we saw</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Common Goldfields (<i style="background-color: white; color: #757575; text-align: start;">Lasthenia gracilis</i><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #757575;">), interspersed with tidy tips and </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #757575; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">redstem filaree (Erodium cicutarium), an invasive weed</span></span></div>
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When we got to the closed Visitor Center, we saw three other groups of people, so decided to not walk the small loop trail that Cindy thought she could handle. But the road just outside it, gave us two of our best times. We watched a hawk and a prairie falcon fight repeatedly, as the prairie falcon attempted to chase off the hawk. And we totally enjoyed watching a San Joaquin antelope squirrel feed and pose for us.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The San Joaquin antelope squirrel posing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cindy caught one of the several skirmishes - the prairie falcon- above - buzzed the hawk sitting on the post and the hawk responded by jumping up, turning over and presenting his claws</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JWeXcuobyCA/XooGyTE0DBI/AAAAAAAILE4/RUD1G05EiIgva7TJuai-UyTuKEdAOD34gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JWeXcuobyCA/XooGyTE0DBI/AAAAAAAILE4/RUD1G05EiIgva7TJuai-UyTuKEdAOD34gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00419.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The prairie falcon then took a break on a power line post near the car before doing another fly over</td></tr>
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We also spent a lot of time looking for Bell's sparrow, which is endemic there. We finally took a side road where Cindy remembered finding then last year and found a fe. I got one to sit close enough to get its's picture. This was a lifer for me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bell's Sparrow</td></tr>
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We continued to work our way through the refuge from northwest to southeast, along the Calliente Range, then turned to head towards the Temblor Range, eventually turning back northwest to drive along it. We continued to stop at Cindy's or my whims to take pictures. I had about 700 at the end of the day. Severe editing has about 100 saved.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Oa8huuiAxA/XooG0AHr0sI/AAAAAAAILE8/NShbl1SOcx8Wi7LqZtRFW5gsSxIwoOphQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Oa8huuiAxA/XooG0AHr0sI/AAAAAAAILE8/NShbl1SOcx8Wi7LqZtRFW5gsSxIwoOphQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00449.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The area used to hold lots of ranches - these tanks are probably the remains of one ranch</td></tr>
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I glimpsed the orange/white pattern of pronghorn antelope and we slowed to get closer to them, stopping repeatedly to take pictures. We think this group of five were probably yearlings as they were very curious and looked young. They came closer to us after we stopped to watch them. We probably spent twenty minutes with them and took a few hundred pictures between us.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are the fastest land animals in the Americas - can reach speeds of 53 mph</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their large eyes let them see danger from far away</td></tr>
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Earlier this morning, when Cindy and I were moving our cars so we could take hers, she decided she could drive and did ALL the driving of at least one hundred twenty-five miles. But I did a lot more of jumping in and out of the car in search of the best picture angles and close-ups. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cindy shooting me deciding how to compose a picture.....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.....of San Joaquin milk vetch setting beautiful red seed after its yellow flowers - Soda Lake visible in background in front </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohjwWjBqVLQ/XooG3vZ9ATI/AAAAAAAILFQ/CtON4vkbQ10q8F0NZnWLLnIMfsDZExI1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohjwWjBqVLQ/XooG3vZ9ATI/AAAAAAAILFQ/CtON4vkbQ10q8F0NZnWLLnIMfsDZExI1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00512.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cindy, preparing to take her main walk of the day - and stopping to read about the San Andreas fault - just before the brown at the top of the screen. It said this area is moving towards San Francisco at the rate of 1.34 inches per year - <br />in only 10,000 years, it will be there. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afternoon clouds made for better landscape pictures - we also had to contend with heat waves</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While the winds made dust devils</td></tr>
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On the way home, Cindy stopped at Shell Creek Road, a famous wildflower viewing area. It did not disappoint and we spent another hour or so there.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15px;">Common Hillside Daisy (</span><i style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px;">Monolopia lanceolata</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15px;">)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tidy tips (Lavia Platyglossa) with a honeybee visitor</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tidy tips with small lupines</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got really excited - have not found ANY native bees around - but this turned out to be just another syrphid</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby blue-eyes - one of the rarest of the flowers we saw. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;">Coastal Bush </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;">Lupine</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;"> (</span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;">Lupinus</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: left;"> propinquus)</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just as the flowers ran out, we ran into a flock of returning western kingbirds - we probably saw twenty - fifty</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view near our turnaround point on the road<br />
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These forays out to spend time in the outdoors are the BEST preventatives and immune boosters. I hope you too, are getting out. </div>
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Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-8205492126848493702020-03-29T01:30:00.000-05:002020-03-29T11:13:52.704-05:00Cindy's First Outing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">March 28, 2020</span></i></div>
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Cindy had her hip replacement ten days ago. She is already starting to walk around the kitchen without her walker and often washes the dishes. She is back to working from home part-time. (She will be working from home until this is over. )<br />
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Today we went on a driving expedition to Fort Hunter Liggett, where she works. We took a lot of side roads to look for birds and elk. No elk showed themselves, though. </div>
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We went to a pond on the base and Cindy got out and walked on a gravel road with her walker. We also enjoyed eating a little lunch there. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the long view of lowlands and hills</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First year bald eagle</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same bird showing off his huge bill</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of a few huge rock outcroppings</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow violets</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can never get enough of the beautiful patterns of the hills and draws</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very cheerful flower that is almost through blooming</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eurasian collared dove</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owl clover</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lupines are makeing huge patches of color</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was one of the only two plants of this species we saw</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were on a shrub but feel like nightshade family plants</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blooming shrub</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another long view</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flower was the size of a fingernail</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We explored down a dirt road to find this relic</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of two shrikes I saw</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A western meadowlark refusing to look at me</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The William Randal Hurst Hacienda - of course we could not see the inside today</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A single great-tailed grackle at the pond- kind of unexpected to see one by itself</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ground squirrels were abundant</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very old California sycamore</td></tr>
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On the personal front, we are hunkering down as the Corvid-19 infections continue to increase in our area. We don't yet know how extensive the infections will be, but they are predicted to get quite high. I am the only person going around people to do our shopping. It takes several visits to get everything on our list since there are a lot of missing goods. Albertsons is disinfecting the carts and the belts between customers and had the floor marked for when we stand in line so we stay apart. And everybody is being careful to wait for another person to leave an area before moving into it. California county and state leaders are managing it to the best of their ability without much help from the federal government. </div>
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I'm grateful that I got to come help Cindy. I am not allowed back on the refuge until this is over so I'm homeless. Cindy says I can stay here even after she is all well. </div>
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Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-56374446881253766602020-03-25T14:21:00.002-05:002020-03-25T14:26:07.358-05:00Working Tour to Elephant Rocks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
March 7, 2020<br />
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When I signed up to help with the bus tours, two of them looked really interesting. One was the tour of Blanca Wetlands - see last post - and the other was a tour to Elephant Rocks with a promise of a little history as well as a demo of flint knapping. So this was another official working trip but filled with personal enjoyment.<br />
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Our leader was Shawn Noonan, from the BLM. He recruited two helpers from the bureau, but I never wrote down their names so I'll have to try and document them later. I think our guide on the hike was Clayton. I didn't get to the knapping demonstration until after the knapper was introduced.<br />
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We got a little of the history of the site. It all began with the mother of all volcanic eruptions, that is the largest EVER, spewing about 3,107 cubic miles of magma in a magnitude 9 or better eruption, about 27 million years ago. This produced the Fish Canyon tuff, which has been weathering ever since. The weathered rocks look like herds of elephants, hence its name. The monolithic boulders stretch for five miles.<br />
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About 15,000 years ago, this site was used by monstrous grazers, including the columbian mammoth, which stood up to fourteen feet tall and whose tusks were up to 16 feet long. Joining them were the huge Extinct Bison grazing in herds across the landscape. Word is that there are rocks polished by those huge mammoths, ten or more feet above ground. Today the grazers are mostly mule deer and elk.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our leader, Shawn helping a visitor get the layout of the area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dWdu_XyM4Q/XnuLnShebKI/AAAAAAAIKzo/YeI4BwitmdQsoeK9ymwTROe-Kdv4dMuZACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dWdu_XyM4Q/XnuLnShebKI/AAAAAAAIKzo/YeI4BwitmdQsoeK9ymwTROe-Kdv4dMuZACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00159.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shawn talking to us about the area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fd5SoFvCWsw/XnuLmqJq2II/AAAAAAAIKzg/AFH3W-CLW0sDmubYt20vV9rY95ilwMAMACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1572" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fd5SoFvCWsw/XnuLmqJq2II/AAAAAAAIKzg/AFH3W-CLW0sDmubYt20vV9rY95ilwMAMACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00168.jpg" width="628" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The talk from the knapper, about the kinds of rocks used for tools, with examples on the table</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze1iIwI6nys/XnuLnuIujfI/AAAAAAAIKzs/ciVv-lu-zg0Dg3kQ04qL8p_VIogpCcYQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze1iIwI6nys/XnuLnuIujfI/AAAAAAAIKzs/ciVv-lu-zg0Dg3kQ04qL8p_VIogpCcYQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00178.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knapper, starting to demonstrate how to make a point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7szPOyuqz34/XnuLoTdUqFI/AAAAAAAIKzw/SmIr9izSo0QBvIgPB3w44-8DEW4XD772wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1347" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7szPOyuqz34/XnuLoTdUqFI/AAAAAAAIKzw/SmIr9izSo0QBvIgPB3w44-8DEW4XD772wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00180.jpg" width="538" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Safety is important He caught most of his shards in the bin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBcSpY_bLwA/XnuLo3FeypI/AAAAAAAIKz0/gzNKxJ3vQVQjVzNYMYXfqSJaSQglZSf6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="939" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBcSpY_bLwA/XnuLo3FeypI/AAAAAAAIKz0/gzNKxJ3vQVQjVzNYMYXfqSJaSQglZSf6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00181.jpg" width="374" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He also made is knapping tools </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-asdb7RLLBYs/XnuLpAEPQsI/AAAAAAAIKz4/rhP0rfq6WT8biayMtmGOM4TV-LOO2YHlACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1251" data-original-width="1600" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-asdb7RLLBYs/XnuLpAEPQsI/AAAAAAAIKz4/rhP0rfq6WT8biayMtmGOM4TV-LOO2YHlACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00186.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closeup of a chip that will become a point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm5FgZtFKhg/XnuLriJxjiI/AAAAAAAIK0A/o0mAIuSEbRgt59IZ6NyrXnyD4pI8MKVVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm5FgZtFKhg/XnuLriJxjiI/AAAAAAAIK0A/o0mAIuSEbRgt59IZ6NyrXnyD4pI8MKVVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00189.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We divided into two groups to go on the guided hikes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dJs90kRUDVw/XnuLrzp3psI/AAAAAAAIK0E/XX5I0uFlNgY4O7OK4nD2qcm4C5_qonAbACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dJs90kRUDVw/XnuLrzp3psI/AAAAAAAIK0E/XX5I0uFlNgY4O7OK4nD2qcm4C5_qonAbACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00192.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was a little late to catch the best light on the beautiful sceenery</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zoKiK137CcE/XnuLsKzsZSI/AAAAAAAIK0I/2A1LJliphxoqz9FJ_6om-0FO7HmBnSKsACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zoKiK137CcE/XnuLsKzsZSI/AAAAAAAIK0I/2A1LJliphxoqz9FJ_6om-0FO7HmBnSKsACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00195.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think our leader is named Clayton. He made us understand the area much better</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-psDMv68FoU8/XnuLt90gzhI/AAAAAAAIK0M/iiws1tscFW01_aICO3kJ7To680sdMepQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-psDMv68FoU8/XnuLt90gzhI/AAAAAAAIK0M/iiws1tscFW01_aICO3kJ7To680sdMepQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00203.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking with interpretative stops was great. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ee-QPWDoIJo/XnuLt8t5tXI/AAAAAAAIK0Q/TV_qWq_IvA4hSEteDWp0xphzuIyk8rmAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ee-QPWDoIJo/XnuLt8t5tXI/AAAAAAAIK0Q/TV_qWq_IvA4hSEteDWp0xphzuIyk8rmAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00209.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only child on the tour was this nine year old who reminded me of a puppy gambling back and forth across our trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cj2snzo_Wa4/XnuLv2f99YI/AAAAAAAIK0Y/ImE-13fH1q0TnXijO2u8DsUiOPVd_iW5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cj2snzo_Wa4/XnuLv2f99YI/AAAAAAAIK0Y/ImE-13fH1q0TnXijO2u8DsUiOPVd_iW5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00225.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Took this picture when almost back from the hike</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PUHwWKOXPH8/XnuLwbsLPJI/AAAAAAAIK0c/8O3Qmuf8MkIvT0iWOVIIZ9kvxtl3Z9vewCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PUHwWKOXPH8/XnuLwbsLPJI/AAAAAAAIK0c/8O3Qmuf8MkIvT0iWOVIIZ9kvxtl3Z9vewCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00226.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shawn looking at the interpretative display on the large ungulates that once roamed here</td></tr>
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This was another great tour. It is also a pretty good birding area in the spring and summer and holds some species not found in the lower parts of the valley.<br />
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On a personal note, I'm finally taking time to write this - after thinking it was in the queue, on March 25, 2020. It now seems like a dream or something that happened years ago. Since then, we have really been impacted by the virus. I was just getting instructions to work alone from Fish and Wildlife, when my friend, Cindy, posted that she had just lost her scheduled caregiver that she had lined up for her recuperating period of hip surgery. I talked to my boss and got permission to go stay in California for at least three weeks. I quickly packed up, finished my current assignments, then drove most of a night and a day to reach her. She had gotten her surgery while I was in route, and then got out of the hospital the following afternoon. I rushed to stock up on groceries before going to pick her up.<br />
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Today I learned that I can't come back to the refuge until all this is over, so I'll be stuck in California for the foreseeable future. And yes, Cindy is making remarkable progress, says she is hurting less and moving better than before the surgery, and is working half time from home.<br />
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Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-23422722606309743872020-03-22T02:00:00.000-05:002020-03-22T02:00:03.212-05:00California Playing - Tour to San Simeon, California<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Saturday, March 21, 2020</span></i><br />
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My life took a few changes over the last several days. On the same day, that the Refuge made changes to keep us all apart, due to the pandemic, my friend, Cindy, told me that yes, she COULD use my help for up to six weeks to take care of her after hip surgery. I had to finish up some of my assigned chores and get packed to leave. She had her surgery cancelled and then was called back to be told that it was still on. I finally got myself off Tuesday evening and drove for 16 of the next 20 hours to get to her house Wednesday evening and let myself in. I barely got in my food and clothes before crashing. I texted Cindy and had a short conversion with her before I was comatose.<br />
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I got up the next morning to inventory her food, make some menus, and build a grocery list. I got to Albertsons to find it full of people with a checkout line that wound to the back of the store and with many shelves bare of items. While I was standing in line, Cindy texted me that she was getting out of the hospital a day early and that I needed to come talk to her physical therapist. I rushed home, put up the perishable groceries, grabbed Cindy's walker, and headed to the hospital, about forty minutes away. <br />
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I got her home and then fixed her meals and brought her stuff as needed. But she is making a great recovery and even made her own breakfast this (Saturday) morning. She also suggested that I go off on a tour to enjoy the California coast, about a half-hour away. And Saturday was to be the only day we could expect sun for several days.<br />
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So I gathered up all the information pages she had prepared for me and started off in the gray day, still hoping the sun would soon burn off all the clouds. That didn't happen but the light changed all the time and I had a wonderful day of discovery.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQNK1Db_ur0/Xna9EYyE42I/AAAAAAAIKvo/y4N6HdwKcUsKeD8u4WFkFox8EKqvAJ2hQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQNK1Db_ur0/Xna9EYyE42I/AAAAAAAIKvo/y4N6HdwKcUsKeD8u4WFkFox8EKqvAJ2hQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00067.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my first views of the Pacific ocean</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OlWSByudwME/Xna9DlblYkI/AAAAAAAIKvk/CNVeKjzZvN0_cEHhrcfiJY4QHfGxSVinwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OlWSByudwME/Xna9DlblYkI/AAAAAAAIKvk/CNVeKjzZvN0_cEHhrcfiJY4QHfGxSVinwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00076.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Gull- the main gulls I saw</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TxMIJ6ZvTMI/Xna9E1x-xxI/AAAAAAAIKvw/HU7AkNcQWPsZi9oEnC1333Z0WT2mgx0UQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TxMIJ6ZvTMI/Xna9E1x-xxI/AAAAAAAIKvw/HU7AkNcQWPsZi9oEnC1333Z0WT2mgx0UQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00088.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California ground squirrel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NY5WB_Ln5uI/Xna9Fp36nrI/AAAAAAAIKv0/S_RDkFnmcdwxJqjf4NufgE9_ZHH_CDVegCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NY5WB_Ln5uI/Xna9Fp36nrI/AAAAAAAIKv0/S_RDkFnmcdwxJqjf4NufgE9_ZHH_CDVegCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00114.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whimbrel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3VhXfDmxyfo/Xna9N1mID5I/AAAAAAAIKwQ/HgvkgUtidW0J-Q-O9sVWJyhDw0B2Uvf-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00228%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3VhXfDmxyfo/Xna9N1mID5I/AAAAAAAIKwQ/HgvkgUtidW0J-Q-O9sVWJyhDw0B2Uvf-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00228%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Based on the <a href="https://www.elephantseal.org/" target="_blank">website </a>on them, these are this years pups. They fast for 8-10 weeks before leaving - and they are on a six mile stretch of beach in about this density. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zSVXCqB89_4/Xna9Ikp7CwI/AAAAAAAIKv8/dvgTskjWQ4sgNAvrFyk_Y4At74HW8XqLACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zSVXCqB89_4/Xna9Ikp7CwI/AAAAAAAIKv8/dvgTskjWQ4sgNAvrFyk_Y4At74HW8XqLACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00154.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are cute blobs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EARmAzQLXWM/Xna9J6C74HI/AAAAAAAIKwA/oZU-N39s9VQOiwsazzH5C_6wtkB2eIF0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EARmAzQLXWM/Xna9J6C74HI/AAAAAAAIKwA/oZU-N39s9VQOiwsazzH5C_6wtkB2eIF0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00194.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy had dug himself in</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8TRd8TL0wuI/Xna9GuiNCtI/AAAAAAAIKv4/Yri9p1J1GCE8VxJz78GPOMgDdxbok61gACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8TRd8TL0wuI/Xna9GuiNCtI/AAAAAAAIKv4/Yri9p1J1GCE8VxJz78GPOMgDdxbok61gACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00203.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tried to do some studies of faces - but most were asleep</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tMYeMyqDR1E/Xna9Kx2FoSI/AAAAAAAIKwE/cUS5VLmYQ3cKXRz4mFoiJ9Nop6r6HqwlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tMYeMyqDR1E/Xna9Kx2FoSI/AAAAAAAIKwE/cUS5VLmYQ3cKXRz4mFoiJ9Nop6r6HqwlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00210.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The vultures were tearing into what seemed to be an erosion tube. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOX4-skmKZ8/Xna9LTQrggI/AAAAAAAIKwI/V5p25xLq8PELIF9OXdUE1inV2lTKpan0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOX4-skmKZ8/Xna9LTQrggI/AAAAAAAIKwI/V5p25xLq8PELIF9OXdUE1inV2lTKpan0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00214.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peace</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oxwEL_4O1Rs/Xna9MjNyzjI/AAAAAAAIKwM/1fw7Jebj8tYGnTHbxsySChvFM2fTVve0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oxwEL_4O1Rs/Xna9MjNyzjI/AAAAAAAIKwM/1fw7Jebj8tYGnTHbxsySChvFM2fTVve0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00224.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saw a few brown pelicans</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eO38Yx5gwNE/Xna9QMEe7VI/AAAAAAAIKwc/81zXw3DUZJY5uC4BipLY5nzY2g1cMxYdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eO38Yx5gwNE/Xna9QMEe7VI/AAAAAAAIKwc/81zXw3DUZJY5uC4BipLY5nzY2g1cMxYdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00246.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">None of the seals were lively for long - most awake times lasted less than two minutes<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sXpIET2kzB8/Xna9QPGUe_I/AAAAAAAIKwY/hHCH99OlaFERr7YDNZSZvWC_VvAGFa1YwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sXpIET2kzB8/Xna9QPGUe_I/AAAAAAAIKwY/hHCH99OlaFERr7YDNZSZvWC_VvAGFa1YwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00256.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piedras Blancas Light Station - you can only meet and go on a tour but they were shut down due to the pandemic</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6rb7E7RmzoY/Xna9Q4D5mJI/AAAAAAAIKwg/fQMZMQIkQ4gOfFczWo8FchRTNvs3jzOigCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6rb7E7RmzoY/Xna9Q4D5mJI/AAAAAAAIKwg/fQMZMQIkQ4gOfFczWo8FchRTNvs3jzOigCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00261.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The light was better on the way back so I stopped along CA Hwy. 46 (Green Valley Road) for the most amazing sceenery</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ArzF-L87v5I/Xna9SltfEaI/AAAAAAAIKwo/Gsv1LyrxL1Y1UWgjQma7wkHaoaWDXNz5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ArzF-L87v5I/Xna9SltfEaI/AAAAAAAIKwo/Gsv1LyrxL1Y1UWgjQma7wkHaoaWDXNz5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00262.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think one can find almost any shade of green in this countryside now</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBtxey6AFM4/Xna9SauClBI/AAAAAAAIKwk/zroCt9OUSrYQ6wSo7FkcevvbaYDbpt3XwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBtxey6AFM4/Xna9SauClBI/AAAAAAAIKwk/zroCt9OUSrYQ6wSo7FkcevvbaYDbpt3XwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00265.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This road has maybe twenty vineries, standing shoulder to shoulder I pulled off on an entrance to take this picture</td></tr>
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I'm looking forward to another outing near the end of the week, when the rains stop - this time with Cindy. She has only used Tylenol for pain since she came home from the hospital and will be ready for an adventure as soon as we get a nice day.<br />
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Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-89267099407607304312020-03-15T02:30:00.000-05:002020-03-25T13:56:19.113-05:00A Working Visit to Blanca Wetlands<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">March 6, 2020</span></i><br />
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When I got the volunteer needed notice from the Monte Vista Crane Festival folks, with a list of all the jobs that needed doing, I immediately went on line and signed up for a bunch of bus tours as the person in charge of the loudspeaker equipment. I told Deb, the festival coordinator, that she could take me back off any tour but the one to the Blanca Wetlands. This is a BLM lands wetland and is closed from mid February to mid July to protect breeding birds, especially shorebirds. It is an area of critical environmental concern and provides an increasingly important habitat for birds and amphibians. For more about it, click <a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/blanca-wetlands" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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The trip was led by Sue Swift-Miller, a wetlands Biologist with the BLM. She spent most of the forty-five minute trip telling us about the wetland, their importance, and how they are now artificially manipulated to mimic old water patterns, before over use of the valley's water resulted in significant lowering of the water table and the loss of water for wildlife. These wetlands completely dried up before the BLM started a project to restore them. She was joined by two other staff members who knew more about the birds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNXl1Mn5CN8/XmvF00vPEeI/AAAAAAAIJYk/9YyiiKTI3CMruFK9vHPJ84zAGuMtgBgmACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNXl1Mn5CN8/XmvF00vPEeI/AAAAAAAIJYk/9YyiiKTI3CMruFK9vHPJ84zAGuMtgBgmACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00107.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first stop - sneaking up a bank to overlook a lake full of waterfowl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UKBSsXxZJKY/XmvF1AT6miI/AAAAAAAIJYg/j8grxvQoQgw306oW-nLaUsBReWvdnDXxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UKBSsXxZJKY/XmvF1AT6miI/AAAAAAAIJYg/j8grxvQoQgw306oW-nLaUsBReWvdnDXxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00108.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But they flew anyway, then some came back and landed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKIgL9bgxUg/XmvF0_iDFII/AAAAAAAIJYo/e4h8sz0VcmYmzcsx8lfQJyT5Bpj2wxBbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKIgL9bgxUg/XmvF0_iDFII/AAAAAAAIJYo/e4h8sz0VcmYmzcsx8lfQJyT5Bpj2wxBbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00111.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of the group enjoying the ducks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1obGb66Xr9s/XmvF1rQ50XI/AAAAAAAIJYs/KVlmE7KpcOsnq128msEmw7sFfcu7rUzEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1obGb66Xr9s/XmvF1rQ50XI/AAAAAAAIJYs/KVlmE7KpcOsnq128msEmw7sFfcu7rUzEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00113.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the landscape here, up against the Sangre de Christi mountains. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hGTe5gT1POw/XmvF17DL3GI/AAAAAAAIJY0/EIZWCG9ExqsN9cRjYEFEEPyE3B-vSZl0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hGTe5gT1POw/XmvF17DL3GI/AAAAAAAIJY0/EIZWCG9ExqsN9cRjYEFEEPyE3B-vSZl0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00114.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beauty</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C0qdHbzv0Fw/XmvF2GAxJTI/AAAAAAAIJYw/oJW-nFnQJo8XeSHwbSET0rLbtlAwdiSKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C0qdHbzv0Fw/XmvF2GAxJTI/AAAAAAAIJYw/oJW-nFnQJo8XeSHwbSET0rLbtlAwdiSKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00118.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a bald eagle overlooking our second stop</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9jCO1PyC1GQ/XmvF2Tt02fI/AAAAAAAIJY4/Rqtn-CBq9zQwLQkd_YiF1mGTImmKbI9tACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9jCO1PyC1GQ/XmvF2Tt02fI/AAAAAAAIJY4/Rqtn-CBq9zQwLQkd_YiF1mGTImmKbI9tACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00121.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sue - in white shirt - talking with a visitor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzInxyZc-8w/XmvF2goomeI/AAAAAAAIJY8/8bdVrndUDfkAEsfRLDHG0p6UDuTm0uodQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzInxyZc-8w/XmvF2goomeI/AAAAAAAIJY8/8bdVrndUDfkAEsfRLDHG0p6UDuTm0uodQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00126.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had time to walk several of the trails </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BV3ENNy4oJg/XmvF2_KbHqI/AAAAAAAIJZA/-4OOyaqhAh4A8diqDHg2341Jx6CLacuVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BV3ENNy4oJg/XmvF2_KbHqI/AAAAAAAIJZA/-4OOyaqhAh4A8diqDHg2341Jx6CLacuVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00134.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And stop to view and photograph birds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DXPR7P12Ogw/XmvF3PEy0_I/AAAAAAAIJZE/tSIhDTEf1Lkh1J3CDXNM-6y4Wugia6KBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DXPR7P12Ogw/XmvF3PEy0_I/AAAAAAAIJZE/tSIhDTEf1Lkh1J3CDXNM-6y4Wugia6KBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00138.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting to the end of the tour - after walking several trails - now waiting for the last of the hikers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCR1YlWFlMc/XmvF3UQ5kmI/AAAAAAAIJZI/tu2cf_ruX2MVyb3oGnSNHBGtkoiePWjYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JCR1YlWFlMc/XmvF3UQ5kmI/AAAAAAAIJZI/tu2cf_ruX2MVyb3oGnSNHBGtkoiePWjYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00140.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But another stop invigorated us</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TEHn8SD14r0/XmvF3kIoz_I/AAAAAAAIJZM/3leqf37f4O8pTaQVTScbYA22_HO5qfGOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TEHn8SD14r0/XmvF3kIoz_I/AAAAAAAIJZM/3leqf37f4O8pTaQVTScbYA22_HO5qfGOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00142.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This reminded me of herding cats - hopefully we'll get everybody back</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2sk_8OhyScQ/XmvF38YA_qI/AAAAAAAIJZU/CmppDoO7FVcWi2LdlZto5S4lMgEINFuSACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2sk_8OhyScQ/XmvF38YA_qI/AAAAAAAIJZU/CmppDoO7FVcWi2LdlZto5S4lMgEINFuSACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00154.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another beautiful landscape - looking at Mt. Blanca - and more of our tour participants</td></tr>
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We all agreed that this tour - which only happens every few years was wonderful. We got to enjoy vast numbers of ducks and geese.<br />
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This is a very different place in July, when the shorebirds have just finished breeding.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AyPRSs3UhRU/XmvPvQmdLwI/AAAAAAAIJZ0/zaG2iZsDM7k76RrUvDvAHcRuJ3inpDOMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AyPRSs3UhRU/XmvPvQmdLwI/AAAAAAAIJZ0/zaG2iZsDM7k76RrUvDvAHcRuJ3inpDOMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0014.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hundreds of avocets were present last July</td></tr>
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Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-7849069677440491362020-03-11T16:33:00.000-05:002020-03-11T16:40:38.178-05:00Lots of Work <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>March 6, 2020</i></span><br />
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I usually arrive and get myself moved in for a few days. But Suzanne was waiting with a list of things to be done. The recycling was due to be hauled in from both refuges. Both MonteVista and Alamosa needed to have their hunt areas shut down.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0R96GzNCYI/XmlSRM62SjI/AAAAAAAIJUQ/HVrhDqTCrskgG5WUW3nBvXVRxaMDXpW8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0R96GzNCYI/XmlSRM62SjI/AAAAAAAIJUQ/HVrhDqTCrskgG5WUW3nBvXVRxaMDXpW8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00016.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view along a back road from the hunting area </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-phZrJ-4CbUk/XmlSQJmLmSI/AAAAAAAIJUI/ahjVwmNrkCAVG3gHP1Fav8cL8in6K8HKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-phZrJ-4CbUk/XmlSQJmLmSI/AAAAAAAIJUI/ahjVwmNrkCAVG3gHP1Fav8cL8in6K8HKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00030.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found seventeen eagles along the route - one tree had six in it</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SqfMd4XxbyI/XmlTa-LsoDI/AAAAAAAIJVQ/i4kiy7F3cYoyGrPhKraSBFrikMl9iJxiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SqfMd4XxbyI/XmlTa-LsoDI/AAAAAAAIJVQ/i4kiy7F3cYoyGrPhKraSBFrikMl9iJxiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00040.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the Canada geese and mallards enjoying the Rio Grande River</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hFk3zwWTSe4/XmlTT_5AKbI/AAAAAAAIJVE/zvTh0oRqnzcEMxhLme6TSBeHsNH8AXjagCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hFk3zwWTSe4/XmlTT_5AKbI/AAAAAAAIJVE/zvTh0oRqnzcEMxhLme6TSBeHsNH8AXjagCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00038.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view with a few eagles way off in the distance</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-uiv06mECs/XmlTVS4FPcI/AAAAAAAIJVI/m9H2LaQ4nZMLNOTv5LZN2yUCisPD8PCPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-uiv06mECs/XmlTVS4FPcI/AAAAAAAIJVI/m9H2LaQ4nZMLNOTv5LZN2yUCisPD8PCPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0400.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As part of the hunt areas shutdown, I documented repairs - here a section of fence is down</td></tr>
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I needed to make signs, then haul sign holders and barriers from the BLM office and distribute them on the refuge as needed for the bus and auto tours of Monte Vista.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EgeCZP5QqVA/XmlSSec9kaI/AAAAAAAIJUY/SQXxwyXU0wwlRVFYCAXIvpeihp5Mb_lagCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EgeCZP5QqVA/XmlSSec9kaI/AAAAAAAIJUY/SQXxwyXU0wwlRVFYCAXIvpeihp5Mb_lagCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0427.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our roads are narrow and we try to get visitors to park in the parking lots near the grain fields</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-REfWjvNbc-Y/XmlSTkirGfI/AAAAAAAIJUg/18Q6eh-mpKYNw-jzrT_EZ4_PZ_vho6VRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-REfWjvNbc-Y/XmlSTkirGfI/AAAAAAAIJUg/18Q6eh-mpKYNw-jzrT_EZ4_PZ_vho6VRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0429.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our main viewing area by one of our barley fields - it is closed to most vehicles for the Festival</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zrVJH3Awnsw/XmlTV1ElHoI/AAAAAAAIJVM/E3ih8TtlNtcnwkQWFgzcQMkixnc-fgU-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zrVJH3Awnsw/XmlTV1ElHoI/AAAAAAAIJVM/E3ih8TtlNtcnwkQWFgzcQMkixnc-fgU-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_2051.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While adding barriers and building a rope fence, I took time to enjoy some visitors enjoying the cranes<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJWs06Ipf2Q/XmlSQiyAQOI/AAAAAAAIJUM/NAIFSmtYa1Yqu07uFzacOi0493lgMLS-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJWs06Ipf2Q/XmlSQiyAQOI/AAAAAAAIJUM/NAIFSmtYa1Yqu07uFzacOi0493lgMLS-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00021.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And I too zoomed in on some of the feeding cranes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPrAX-hw-Hc/XmlSSaXmueI/AAAAAAAIJU0/23GHKLA7TeAnlmUQEZeOCQ25Px_plVDAwCEwYBhgLKsgDAMBZVoACyolMOgRw2tKG8cxxpzb0rIx3Fr37bj847z-AMgRTjQslTJubrnQBklUOX1gl1UT-GFNmQ8le9qQY3-UUuPNeZehEvz0BreaCcogiLiMXpAnOvyksymuvkTircywS4CdX3HLvC3j0dzHFTgg6vG345RcNIM8bHt5waQqf30gMzzMSIU10pEcgm_HKMMS4XRR8jCUm6cxmlYJvB1uhriZT9sJPEp9MkpJLftm5L5aFvUsn-6zR3l-OACUrY6j4uYtTPk13_BJmzg0w-1qBYHq8BhL7eY4CXSBYhtEETeKDPFSAuE-vZASXfFY2XoZBmvLrVKbMem7O-BaCexQ74f0qXiFJTrWLXZ4zVSibIaUySQd6D_8dZxrFvxkbaTGyH7j6TLZ6aHIgtDBsJA0TYcjwU9Yjs81DZIDu7Ucx8cd847_DBjs0dONGtHEIxvnSGJ4ZTAEiiKZgOALOh2VnC89TOy16IaqTuQFYt3fPT8F-IniK7GdKyYvR1RD0Btpsz4YQEIbrMmP-HiMeV0-Js4KxMB6Uq5OrPS8BSXQEthbvKXth0vwK99R6RLZOxY9oL-moxO3CCFvRee8aCeUERoCVqR0EMJOupfMF/s1600/DSC00090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPrAX-hw-Hc/XmlSSaXmueI/AAAAAAAIJU0/23GHKLA7TeAnlmUQEZeOCQ25Px_plVDAwCEwYBhgLKsgDAMBZVoACyolMOgRw2tKG8cxxpzb0rIx3Fr37bj847z-AMgRTjQslTJubrnQBklUOX1gl1UT-GFNmQ8le9qQY3-UUuPNeZehEvz0BreaCcogiLiMXpAnOvyksymuvkTircywS4CdX3HLvC3j0dzHFTgg6vG345RcNIM8bHt5waQqf30gMzzMSIU10pEcgm_HKMMS4XRR8jCUm6cxmlYJvB1uhriZT9sJPEp9MkpJLftm5L5aFvUsn-6zR3l-OACUrY6j4uYtTPk13_BJmzg0w-1qBYHq8BhL7eY4CXSBYhtEETeKDPFSAuE-vZASXfFY2XoZBmvLrVKbMem7O-BaCexQ74f0qXiFJTrWLXZ4zVSibIaUySQd6D_8dZxrFvxkbaTGyH7j6TLZ6aHIgtDBsJA0TYcjwU9Yjs81DZIDu7Ucx8cd847_DBjs0dONGtHEIxvnSGJ4ZTAEiiKZgOALOh2VnC89TOy16IaqTuQFYt3fPT8F-IniK7GdKyYvR1RD0Btpsz4YQEIbrMmP-HiMeV0-Js4KxMB6Uq5OrPS8BSXQEthbvKXth0vwK99R6RLZOxY9oL-moxO3CCFvRee8aCeUERoCVqR0EMJOupfMF/s640/DSC00090.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And enjoyed them leaving to go loaf a few hours</td></tr>
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And I had to make some sign holders for the Friend's of San Luis Valley Refuges to use at the Festival. This consisted of retrieving two buckets, two PVC pipes, a bag of Quickcrete, all miles apart, and then mixing the Quickcrete and putting in the PVC pipes. I made it worse by trying to move the 80 lb bags of Quickcrete to the truck and catching the bag on the corner of the truck. I ended up having to sweep it up and move each half of it to a bucket to haul back to my work site.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RA8hOdC_6CE/XmlSToR3y4I/AAAAAAAIJUc/wHOokyUIgXon5AxYk0I7Y0jMUOELh4AmACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RA8hOdC_6CE/XmlSToR3y4I/AAAAAAAIJUc/wHOokyUIgXon5AxYk0I7Y0jMUOELh4AmACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0432.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sign bases all ready to haul to the festival - I did that also</td></tr>
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We spent the morning and early afternoon of last Thursday setting up the festival. We hauled in our own tables and chairs as well as tall background sections. And we set up tables and chairs owned by the festival building. I set up a LOT of tables and chairs. The tables were dirty, and I had my cleaning stuff with me, so I got the job of scrubbing them down. Then Suzanne called us all for lunch on her. I had just filled my bucket with rinse water and just set it and my rags down. When I got back from a delicious taco lunch, I went back to discover somebody had turned my nice clean water into mud - and rinsed ALL the food tables. I only had to do all the tables used by the various government agencies and the Friends of the Refuges. I went home exhausted and went to sleep early so I could be back at 6:00 A.M. to set up for the tours and then help finish setting up the displays inside.<br />
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Stay tuned for the tours.<br />
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Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-37419431431760853832020-03-01T17:55:00.000-06:002020-03-01T17:57:26.020-06:00Colorado Homecoming<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">March 1, 2020</span></i><br />
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I left Houston around 4:20 A.M at 65 ° and made it to Amarillo just in time to meet the cold front with a few bands of swirling snow. By the next morning, as I was leaving just before dawn, it was 19°. My trip soon slowed as I had to stop and admire the scenery, and eat breakfast and do other piddling things. I stopped to take a picture of the pass and had two 18 wheelers pass me. I passed one and was completely blinded as it blew muddy snow on me. I had to stop in Alamosa for groceries and for a car wash to get the mud and salt off my car.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GobZJxxYZ78/XlxDki4Dd6I/AAAAAAAIJP0/XSRYMxDRY0QGIB6cv9FnyHUZWlQY2EFBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GobZJxxYZ78/XlxDki4Dd6I/AAAAAAAIJP0/XSRYMxDRY0QGIB6cv9FnyHUZWlQY2EFBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0315.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the beginning of the pass into San Luis Valley from the east</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TWO3P9GnS_k/XlxArSK-lRI/AAAAAAAIJPE/XVnlowzIfYo47QNIsolAc7tVcfbflRcagCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TWO3P9GnS_k/XlxArSK-lRI/AAAAAAAIJPE/XVnlowzIfYo47QNIsolAc7tVcfbflRcagCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0330.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My car after getting through the pass </td></tr>
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Instead of getting to my house about 1:00 P.M., I got there closer to 3:00P.M. I was shocked to see that my gate was locked and I didn't have a key. Everyone was in a meeting and I didn't get any answers as to how to proceed. Finally my boss texted me back and told me to go to the Monte Vista office, and pick up all my keys. I also figured out what the code for the coded lock might me. I was able to get in about an hour before dark.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-74IgoQr8-1Y/XlxArHBt12I/AAAAAAAIJPA/F6nQJZXDcoQXz30Y4lydOS5y3AKECjIMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-74IgoQr8-1Y/XlxArHBt12I/AAAAAAAIJPA/F6nQJZXDcoQXz30Y4lydOS5y3AKECjIMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0337.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost Home, Sweet, Home - View from my driveway gate, a quarter of a mile away</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrCG-IxXsmI/XlxAsqZbfwI/AAAAAAAIJPI/oEiGBA2iMWYCN8zKcICWTJvCZ1cUzRmmACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrCG-IxXsmI/XlxAsqZbfwI/AAAAAAAIJPI/oEiGBA2iMWYCN8zKcICWTJvCZ1cUzRmmACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0339.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actually home, only two hours later</td></tr>
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I'm used to having a pair of owls in my yard, so didn't pay much attention to the big bird sitting in one of the dead trees. But when I got down my quarter mile driveway, I noticed the white head and tail of an adult bald eagle. This was the first time I've had an eagle as a yard bird. (And I saw it again on Sunday, when I went home for lunch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1BXzt5Ot3Co/XlxAt4F6yaI/AAAAAAAIJPU/emSEnBg51H4YgPC8skrvaIgrUX5hrRxOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1283" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1BXzt5Ot3Co/XlxAt4F6yaI/AAAAAAAIJPU/emSEnBg51H4YgPC8skrvaIgrUX5hrRxOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_2042.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">"My" yard eagle</td></tr>
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I was too tired to do much more than bring in the essentials and wash my sheet I'd left on the bed. I must have forgotten to unset a mouse trap and found a dead mouse which I left out for the grateful yellow billed magpies. I had to stop once more to enjoy my welcoming home sunset over the San Juan Mountains.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xZgIFep3Uls/XlxAtHwhAMI/AAAAAAAIJPM/zzxyOg9XWyAKoKr6c6g-MHv2RPriJ3FJACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xZgIFep3Uls/XlxAtHwhAMI/AAAAAAAIJPM/zzxyOg9XWyAKoKr6c6g-MHv2RPriJ3FJACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0343.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over the San Juan Mountains</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oaXMzSaLHSc/XlxAusX5TqI/AAAAAAAIJPc/Qius4ABPNd8TJ0mikj_Avszf5s_0gtAdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oaXMzSaLHSc/XlxAusX5TqI/AAAAAAAIJPc/Qius4ABPNd8TJ0mikj_Avszf5s_0gtAdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_2047.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflected sunset on the Sangre de Christi mountains to the east</td></tr>
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I spent most of Thursday getting moved in and making some soup. I did a little cleaning on the local vault toilets, and hauled a truck load of trash to recycling in Alamosa. And I did have to stop by to check out the sandhill cranes. All the crane pictures are within a mile of my house.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L7g179aTSx8/XlxAY8isIyI/AAAAAAAIJOM/7nRg9WW9rI011OmDMwzqOaoCpQYlgqHtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L7g179aTSx8/XlxAY8isIyI/AAAAAAAIJOM/7nRg9WW9rI011OmDMwzqOaoCpQYlgqHtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening experiences of Colorado geese - they are flying in from other fields to roost with the cranes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZYaPS1pAcE/XlxAeTmC-OI/AAAAAAAIJOY/wzUZ92QklyYVB6nbIwJ6_1OIGepojyvcACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZYaPS1pAcE/XlxAeTmC-OI/AAAAAAAIJOY/wzUZ92QklyYVB6nbIwJ6_1OIGepojyvcACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00021.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many cranes were still feeding in our overview site</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S6rbNgkwScQ/XlxAS9kwlpI/AAAAAAAIJN8/Vwa2b0PO6u0O4VnpqiZFv3RD8brgBAlXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S6rbNgkwScQ/XlxAS9kwlpI/AAAAAAAIJN8/Vwa2b0PO6u0O4VnpqiZFv3RD8brgBAlXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00014.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying in </td></tr>
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Friday my boss was back at the office so I went over to meet here and get a few assignments. I also got back on federal e-mail. I was really excited that she had activated my security card and I didn't have to make an appointment and drive to get it. (Some years, that is an all day job. ) Then I spent a few hours at the library to use their Wi-Fi to start to clean up my drives and start new folders for this year. I also found the folder of signs I had made from last year and forwarded them to her for printing for festival use. I left her with a whole list of jobs, including more hauling, shutting down the hunting areas of both refuges, and doing some chores for our Crane Festival which happens next weekend.<br />
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Saturday I left home at 6:30 A.M. so I could be out at the magic hours for photography while shutting down the hunt areas, collecting signs, picking up trash, and cleaning bathrooms. I attempted to clean a bathroom in the hunt area and found my spray was FROZEN. I put it inside the truck to thaw and then stopped at the Alalmosa Visitor Center a few hours later to clean the two vault toilets. They were filthy, so I made a strong mix of Simple Green inside the Visitor Center. I found the spray from the bottle was freezing to the toilet unless I worked really fast. The mixture I made to scrub the toilets worked a little better. But when I I attempted to scrub the floors, it froze into a muddy mush that I had to sweep.out. I found I had made a skating rink, so had to put on more water on and swept it out really fast, then scrubbed with the broom and swept out more mush. Then I had to repeat a few more times until I was pretty sure no one would die. So a ten minute job turned into a half hour one. And I thought I had learned everything about cleaning bathrooms in my decades of cleaning them. I was wrong.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMzYQ6rMV0w/XlxAVAp689I/AAAAAAAIJOE/tAxQiAw65YwXMijfPASpwTCI7RaLUUfsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMzYQ6rMV0w/XlxAVAp689I/AAAAAAAIJOE/tAxQiAw65YwXMijfPASpwTCI7RaLUUfsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00004.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gotta shut this gate and drive through the back roads. The signs were not as described, so <br />
I'll have to bring back tools and do this all over again. Yea. </td></tr>
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After cleaning the vault toilet, I took the long way home along the Rio Grand River which delineates the eastern side of the refuge. That took forever because of all my forced stops to take pictures. This is our prettiest area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fEViRWuTRMQ/XlxAZHq9rMI/AAAAAAAIJOQ/Xf_mzM39_AM7I8YY1hGr8Ewq2hTDFgXRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fEViRWuTRMQ/XlxAZHq9rMI/AAAAAAAIJOQ/Xf_mzM39_AM7I8YY1hGr8Ewq2hTDFgXRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00016.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rio Grande with Mt. Blanca in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKt1RxlnSRc/XlxAXs9K6GI/AAAAAAAIJOI/nCdwu-4-XVoVIE0RYnKODjacmEaYkoLpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00017%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1600" height="364" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKt1RxlnSRc/XlxAXs9K6GI/AAAAAAAIJOI/nCdwu-4-XVoVIE0RYnKODjacmEaYkoLpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00017%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The river had interesting ice forms from breakup in some places</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYYsBdzlOzQ/XlxAc1tOEEI/AAAAAAAIJOU/h4R4r5pSipQwPOA4OVe0H8Nih_uoQ8uagCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="1600" height="378" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYYsBdzlOzQ/XlxAc1tOEEI/AAAAAAAIJOU/h4R4r5pSipQwPOA4OVe0H8Nih_uoQ8uagCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00018.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found lots of Canada geese - there were two bufflehead here but they dived and disappeared</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjg_GyIncGQ/XlxAhmx4DTI/AAAAAAAIJOg/AhG0eXZYW5Yfbu1-HQPCsOd9X5oxacpSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00021%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjg_GyIncGQ/XlxAhmx4DTI/AAAAAAAIJOg/AhG0eXZYW5Yfbu1-HQPCsOd9X5oxacpSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00021%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had to stop and take pictures of the beauty at every bend</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tES4Ylpbv14/XlxAfJq7dhI/AAAAAAAIJOc/9NUEUhhc0U8ASKrp4Ml_tZBSnuJrfCAvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tES4Ylpbv14/XlxAfJq7dhI/AAAAAAAIJOc/9NUEUhhc0U8ASKrp4Ml_tZBSnuJrfCAvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00030.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eagles are moving through here now- - there is one juvenile here - one tree held six</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DFw8B_448hU/XlxAly223AI/AAAAAAAIJOs/06C0r41oU68R1GE0VBYlV5ux4RmCwGm1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DFw8B_448hU/XlxAly223AI/AAAAAAAIJOs/06C0r41oU68R1GE0VBYlV5ux4RmCwGm1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00031.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the way I usually saw eagles - can you find three?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uWjEJ0xYRzM/XlxAlnakJfI/AAAAAAAIJOo/TaD-WDT5sGg2YeIlEYWFZTGWl8CXo0_QQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1318" data-original-width="1600" height="526" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uWjEJ0xYRzM/XlxAlnakJfI/AAAAAAAIJOo/TaD-WDT5sGg2YeIlEYWFZTGWl8CXo0_QQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00045.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saw a few sparrows to far to identify them - this looks like a Savanah</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-effPCPWesPs/XlxAow7donI/AAAAAAAIJO4/HmlczQGNrNw2j8y3rEB7Zs5VmNNjuOI0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC00047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-effPCPWesPs/XlxAow7donI/AAAAAAAIJO4/HmlczQGNrNw2j8y3rEB7Zs5VmNNjuOI0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC00047.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was surprised to find a singing western meadowlark</td></tr>
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I finished the work at Alamosa and came back to Monte Vista to look for some buckets and signs for the Festival. I stopped to haul some barriers from Alamosa to the Monte Vista shop, which is the staging area for the festival. Then I decided I was hungry and needed to roast the chicken that had been patiently waiting for two days. After a delicious lunch, I absolutely needed a nap. I slept so hard, that the Friend's President came and left me money to go shopping for her without me ever noticing until I found her message last night.<br />
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This morning, I continued shutting down the Monte Vista hunt areas. I had four separate areas. On the map I thought I could drive from one to the next inside the refuge. But after two slightly hairy failed, attempts, I had to go around by the highway. There I found several problems, including some broken gates hat kept me from actually securing the sites. At the final site, I found, instead of two hunt signs to remove, there were thirty. I finally got finished at nearly noon and went home to cook a cauliflower and eat leftover roast chicken and sweet potato.<br />
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Then I drove back to Alamosa to edit pictures and write this blog. Its's a hard job, but somebody has to do it. . It's a hard job, but somebody has to do it. We'll all be working like crazy to get everything ready for the festival. I'll be supervising the loudspeaker equipment on several bus tours and having lots of fun. Next week's blog will be late since I'll work through mid afternoon on Sunday and the last few hours will involve hauling boxes, chairs, and tables. I'll probably work eleven days straight and then take off a couple of days to catch up.<br />
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Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2092848197972565272.post-57426706066142963032020-02-10T20:54:00.000-06:002020-02-10T20:54:33.542-06:00January Paddle on White's Bayou<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>January 19,2020</i></span><br />
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When Natalie asked me to save six weeks to be on call to house-sit for her, I immediately blocked out my calendar, but told her, of course, I'll have plenty of time to hold lots of wild parties. I sent out the invitations to schedule some time visiting me. Winnie took me up on that and planned to spend a few days up here. She asked for a paddle.<br />
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Natalie ended up staying - I said it was because she knew we would have too much fun without her - because here grandson was still unborn. So she was on this trip. We invited Bob, and another friend, Ann to go with us. Bob came down to our house for a lasagne supper the night before and was on hand to to help load the boats.<br />
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We decided to paddle White's Bayou from the Fair Park at Anahuac, Texas. It is a very natural, winding bayou that empties into Turtle Bayou, only yards north of the put-in. So this put-in gives us access to an upstream and downstream paddle, on Turtle Bayou as well as to White's Bayou.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Khkb4pa6HAM/XiRc6NoPrHI/AAAAAAAII3A/qN_7vif2I6QqjEtDHD08FZYAkXEhffZewCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Khkb4pa6HAM/XiRc6NoPrHI/AAAAAAAII3A/qN_7vif2I6QqjEtDHD08FZYAkXEhffZewCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01883.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EWNy8WyAPkk/XiRcvnR-29I/AAAAAAAII24/NVJ9PirN4ekGK67IAdAOPwCL1BrPksjNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EWNy8WyAPkk/XiRcvnR-29I/AAAAAAAII24/NVJ9PirN4ekGK67IAdAOPwCL1BrPksjNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01886.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our token man, Bob</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1600" height="336" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WBG_gidVgtI/XiRcwO8ialI/AAAAAAAII28/wBtUrWixriQwGSu1yrfIBR7KktEcM19sQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01895.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underway</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ann with Ellen and Natalie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob and Winnie, wielding a camera as usual</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellen was an enthusiastic paddler</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXJVw-fDHms/XiRdNwDnoyI/AAAAAAAII3c/krw6FX0H1joW5hLhT09rGX6Vj--j8grYACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXJVw-fDHms/XiRdNwDnoyI/AAAAAAAII3c/krw6FX0H1joW5hLhT09rGX6Vj--j8grYACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01927.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob stopped to clear a tight spot </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JYNmtoxU7T4/XiRdK0f4vYI/AAAAAAAII3U/Dexr-SWusCYu97qQOSV6RahWkrZ2M_U3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JYNmtoxU7T4/XiRdK0f4vYI/AAAAAAAII3U/Dexr-SWusCYu97qQOSV6RahWkrZ2M_U3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01930.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breaking overhead branches away</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2yhGuFc_UUQ/XiRdoF_k8KI/AAAAAAAII34/hrCV9OARXL43YYzVgTnTXJ92GDcIjE5vgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2yhGuFc_UUQ/XiRdoF_k8KI/AAAAAAAII34/hrCV9OARXL43YYzVgTnTXJ92GDcIjE5vgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01933.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a very protected bayou with high banks along much of it</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rmLQZHeDpWQ/XiRdgRFOW3I/AAAAAAAII3w/zmiCjQxHUSQcS0okhvYSXHI49AdUX_K4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rmLQZHeDpWQ/XiRdgRFOW3I/AAAAAAAII3w/zmiCjQxHUSQcS0okhvYSXHI49AdUX_K4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01959.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final log jam is our end of the journey</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NsuHEfP3Jr0/XiRdptav6CI/AAAAAAAII38/ocyJb2tuc7QY-YEPJFXdaK8EjyvDEb-mwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NsuHEfP3Jr0/XiRdptav6CI/AAAAAAAII38/ocyJb2tuc7QY-YEPJFXdaK8EjyvDEb-mwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01963.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turning around</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FMBe7s65NXI/XiRd5mIYOyI/AAAAAAAII4M/o1emTns75dc6YEZ6Rq5I-lwyOaM9_Ni9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FMBe7s65NXI/XiRd5mIYOyI/AAAAAAAII4M/o1emTns75dc6YEZ6Rq5I-lwyOaM9_Ni9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01967.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winnie and Ann </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnixN7Uro8c/XiRd5jFPYpI/AAAAAAAII4Q/rrkkCMtuMdQ-YA52v6umDXQO9C7BTq4WACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnixN7Uro8c/XiRd5jFPYpI/AAAAAAAII4Q/rrkkCMtuMdQ-YA52v6umDXQO9C7BTq4WACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01968.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellen in her happy place</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jbTrp0XUy9I/XiRdwou6GvI/AAAAAAAII4E/38rarC5Nr6M-hHdcCKZLD9HglEqYYYRuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jbTrp0XUy9I/XiRdwou6GvI/AAAAAAAII4E/38rarC5Nr6M-hHdcCKZLD9HglEqYYYRuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01975.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two holdouts</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vs87iEMHUDg/XjtwGMLXwtI/AAAAAAAII78/upOhcVGmhx87GdIyYCM-TRpgNVne1qH7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vs87iEMHUDg/XjtwGMLXwtI/AAAAAAAII78/upOhcVGmhx87GdIyYCM-TRpgNVne1qH7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0942.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winnie's picture of me - so happy to get to do this again- even poorly and with some pain</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5y4vR2_uNY/XiRd98ZGPJI/AAAAAAAII4Y/0O4Kg_wRDWAnO6Gu9mEMxQ-mALK84vEXACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5y4vR2_uNY/XiRd98ZGPJI/AAAAAAAII4Y/0O4Kg_wRDWAnO6Gu9mEMxQ-mALK84vEXACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC01990.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back at the put-in</td></tr>
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On a personal note, I'm Colorado dreaming. About to set a leaving date for a few weeks away. And I'm finally housesitting.<br />
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<br /></div>
Marilyn Kircushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014565704792020948noreply@blogger.com0